Horticultural Society

The Society’s origins date from the “Dig for Victory” drive during the Second World War. After the war it became a Village Produce Association and in the mid-fifties it became “The Great Haseley Horticultural Society”. More recently this was extended to include the district. In 2006 the Society received charitable status.

The Main event in the Society year has always been the Annual Show. In the early years the show was held at Elm Platt under canvas and included a fun fair. Later on the show included a carnival in the school playground with dancing, fancy dress parades, Carnival Queen and sideshows. In more recent times the show has rotated around the local villages and members’ gardens. Today it still incorporates many of the traditional elements of the original show such as competitive classes, side shows, entertainment for all ages and teas. It is always held on the Saturday of the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Membership costs £5 per family and has a number of benefits in addition to advance information about the show. Newsletters are delivered free to members with information and news about forthcoming events. A seed catalogue (including potatoes and onion sets) is made available to all members during the winter; the Society obtains discounts of up to 30 per cent on its orders. During the summer and autumn the Society organises visits to a number of gardens, some of which are generally not open to the public. Each year there is a Christmas lecture and another at the AGM which is held in March. Recent subjects have included the Waterperry Herbaceous Border and Wild Flower Meadows.

Contact:  Liz Moyses, Membership Secretary, 01844 279875 or any committee member.