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Affiliated Societies own pages Northampton and District Carnation Society

Northampton and
District Carnation Society

The 14th November 1990 saw the inaugural meeting of the Northampton and District Carnation Society, being held at the home of one of its founder members in the village of Walgrave, near Kettering, Northants. 6 persons were present including both the late Arthur and Audrey Robinson. Arthur and Audrey and the late Fred C. Smith gave the Society invaluable help, advice and support, without which this Society would not have got ‘off the’ ground. Fred Smith was also our first President. The Society became affiliated to both the Royal Horticultural Society and the British National Society in 1991. At the AGM in 1992 an Editor was appointed to the Committee and production of our Newsletters commenced. Raffles were also introduced to help with the cost of hiring our meeting room and financially have served the Society well. Our first showing experience was by entering the local Hospital Fete. We also applied for and received permission to enter the Horticultural and Display Sections at the Northampton Town Show at Abington Park, The first year we only offered 7 classes, but we gained some new members. The display put on by our ladies greatly encouraged the Society when we gained a Silver Gilt Award and £70 – not bad for a first attempt. In 1994 the Society sought and gained approval from the British National Carnation Society to host an Area Show supported by Notts Carnation Society.
The 3-day East of England Show in 1995 next attracted the Societies attention and resulted in our ladies putting on a display of carnations, the men being used for ‘fetching and carrying’ and especially that welcome ‘cuppa’. Flower arrangements were also sold. ‘Over the Rainbow’ was a splendid display, again put on by our lady members in 1996 with much needed help from the men, many of whom were staging their own exhibits in the horticultural section. This was again held at Abington Park Show and thanks to our members hard work the Society won a Gold Award and £100.
In 1997 the B.N.C.S. had a stand at Gardeners World at the NEC Birmingham. Our Society was asked to repeat the ‘Over the Rainbow’ display – which our members were proud to do. We entered the Spring Show at Stoneleigh and having applied for and been accepted entered 2 window boxes at the Chelsea Flower Show. To the delight and astonishment of members the Society was awarded a Bronze Medal Card.
Some of our members, in addition to exhibiting and supporting Local Shows, had, meantime, been exhibiting up and down the country. One year even the ‘Gold Cup’, (at that time being competed for at the October Show, London,) wended its way to Northampton.
Gradually the Society has introduced Social Events and now offers a wide and varied programme of events to suit most tastes.
A library was formed, holding many books on Carnations and later Videos were added. Sadly, the library has lost its appeal, although the loan of videos still continues.
The aim of the Northampton and District Carnation Society is to encourage, improve and extend the cultivation of carnations and pinks of all kinds, and to stimulate a wider and deeper interest in this fascinating family of plants. Facts and figures relating to number of exhibits and exhibitors are not available but like other Societies we have experienced some good and some not so good years
Over the years the Society has continued to support the B.N.C.S. Shows, other Society Shows as well as local events, which have included local Church Flower Festivals. Northampton and District Carnation Society have been proud to host the B.N.C.S. Summer Show at both Abington Park Show, Northampton and now at The Bell Plantation, Towcester.
Our members have enjoyed the support and friendship offered by members up and down the country and continue to grow and show, thereby gaining much experience.
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Northampton and District Carnation Society meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday of each month at
the Conservative Club, Billing Road, Northampton at 7.30p.m. There is ample parking. We have talks on carnations, How to Grow and Show as well as Guest Speakers on a variety of other subjects.

Our 2008 Committee – Chairwoman and Social Secretary – Joy Hayward Secretary and Treasurer – Shirley Shurvington Show Manager – Neville Smith Editor – Roy Child Committee – Harry Bradley, Sue Palmer and Eileen Hundley

Horticultural Show 2008.
On Saturday 26th July 2008, The Northants Carnation Society held their first Horticultural Show at the Boothville Community Centre. Over the past few years, we have held our own local show in conjunction with Buckingham Garden Society. However, due to lack of participation on both sides Buckingham decided to go to join Winslow and we to go our own way. As garden groups go these days, we wondered whether we would fall flat on our face but we did not. It was a success.
Twenty-two people entered the competition in a well kept, bright and cheerful room. There were some vacant spaces of course but for a first show, we thought it was a good effort. Besides pinks and carnations, details to follow, there were entries for roses, sweet peas, mixed flowers, flower arrangements, flower heads, cakes and marmalade. Plus the vegetables – potatoes, peas and carrots. The ladies of the kitchen Pat Tonsley, Ann Smith and Jackie Coleman did Stirling work keeping all of us supplied with tea, coffee, bacon butties, cakes and lunch. Anne and Tony Earby worked extremely hard before and during the day with the tombola table. Many,many items to collect number etc. Celine made a grand sales lady. A grand total of £76 was made on this table. Eileen Hundley was hard pushed to keep up with the entries but with a little help from our treasurer Shirley Shurvinton, all was well. Peter Townsend helped with the admission table and Dale Coleman with the laminator, and Shirley collected the money. Help was available all around. Stuart Woodford walked away with the first for his sweet peas, Derek Hayward for potatoes, Pat Tonsley for flower arranging. Arthur hael a beautiful rose. Ray Ingram was not present in person due to his own local garden show at Uppingham, but his flowers and plants were collected and prizes were won with his pinks and dwarf pinks. His PF flower heads in the tray of six caused many complimentary comments. Ray’s display of mini-dwarf pinks and Rick Lambert’s alpine plants were duly admired. The comment was usually about perfume and variety of flowers.The fuchsia section was completed by Ernie Sayers; His prize cards the first this year.
The marmalade section was won by Gill Walker from the Chequers and the cake section by Barbara Stibbard, a lady from the Boothville Centre. The craft side of painting and photography had no entries, neither had the children’s section. That was a shame. But Kate, the Centre organiser said, as there is a sewing class could they enter this on the schedule for next year.
The Carnation and pinks section was as follows.
The Walgrave Cup for most points in show. Vic Borrett,
The Smith Salver for best stem of pinks. Dale Coleman.
The Fred Smith Challenge Cup for the best PF Bloom. Vic Borrett.
The Coleman Salver for the best border exhibit. Vic Borrett.
The Linnell Shield for most points in the novice Classes. Shirley Shurvinton
The Arthur Robinson cup for most points in the Ladies classes. Lynda Nutt.
There were eight exhibitors in the pinks, PF’s and Borders. It was lovely to see everyone just sitting around and talking, the room quite buzzed.
The general opinion was that it was well worth the effort so 2009 here we come.
Thanks to everyone concerned with making the day a success

2008 Update