Denaby Main Horticultural Society – Second Annual Show – Splendid Increase All Round

September 1906

Mexborough & Swinton Times, September 1, 1906

Denaby Main Horticultural Society.
Second Annual Show.
Splendid Increase All Round.

Although the inhabitants of Denaby and New Conisboro’ for the most part, find employment at the collieries where everything is black, smoke hidden and dust laden, a very large number evidently, judging by the entries for the annual horticultural show, take an exceedingly deep and intelligent interest in the cultivation of flowers and vegetables.

Many find relief in this pleasant and one of the most interesting hobbies after their arduous tasks in the mines, and favoured as they are by some excellent allotment gardens, which have been put at their disposal by the local Parish Council, full advantage has been taken with excellent results.

At the present time an all-round improvement appears to be taking place in the little colliery village, the parish is looking more compact, better class houses erected by the colliery company adds a dignity to the place which some few years ago was so scathingly attacked by a London periodical. Had the writer of that article been present at the second annual exhibition promoted by the local horticultural society, which was held on Saturday, on the cricket ground, he would have been probably considerably surprised to see the manifest interest displayed in the exhibits staged. The weather kept very fine all day, although a strong wind which threatened the large marquee prevailed. About £30 was offered in prizes, and considering that this is but the society’s second effort, they have every reason to feel proud of having achieved such a success. Needless to mention the entries were far in advance of previous years, both numerically and in quality, although the vegetables were rather lower in the latter respect owing, of course, to the dry season. The exhibits were admirably staged, and the arrangements were capitally carried out by Mr. T. W. Mosby, the secretary, and a host of willing helpers.

The show was opened by Mrs. S. J. Bridges, in the absence of Mrs. W. H. Chambers (who was indisposed), and in a few appropriate remarks, said how pleased she was to see so many there, and to see how well the exhibits looked. That showed that much care and time had been expended by them to bring the exhibits to the state in which they were in, and she had, therefore, much pleasure in declaring the show open.

Mr. W. S. Witty moved a vote of thanks to Mrs. Bridges, which was seconded by Mr. Chapman.

Mr. S. J. Bridges suitably acknowledged on behalf of his wife, and referred to the absence of Mrs. Chambers through illness, and said he was sure that everyone present would sympathise with him at her inability to be present to open the show. Continuing, he said the object of the show was to infuse an interest for gardening amongst the people of Denaby. The benefits to all was obvious, as the enthusiasm and competition of the amateur gardeners must have a marked effect upon the quality and varieties of fruits and vegetables, and the display of those that day, he was sure would create a desire on their part to improve as time went on. (Hear, hear). He said that there had been of necessity a large amount of work to make the show a success, financially, and he was glad to say that, as far as the liabilities were concerned, they were on the right side. What they required the most was a handsome balance to hand over to the Fullerton Hospital.