Stoke Lacy Heritage
Stoke Lacy Flower Show and Open Garden - "Morganiflora"
Stoke Lacy Flower Show and Horse Races c 1920 (Source: E Bateson)
What a spectacle, what colour, what sweet scent and what a taste!! This was the 2019 revival of the Morgan family tradition of a Flower Show in Stoke Lacy.
We know from the Worcestershire Chronicle in 1885 that George, whilst curate of Stoke Lacy, had an interest in the Bromyard Horticultural and Floral Society show held at the cricket pitch, Broad Field, Bromyard, where he, along with three other parties designed the centre piece for the marquee of “stove and greenhouse” plants. The family’s head gardener won the rose class!
We also know from the Worcestershire Chronicle that by 1887 the Stoke Lacy Flower Show, most probably started by his father, the first Morgan rector, Henry, had become an annual event attracting 1000 people. It continued under George well into the 20th century as a broad event including sports and dancing till 10pm.
The 2019 event on September 8th was a smaller affair with more than 125 attending but it was the epitome of a traditional English village scene with a convivial community consuming tea and cakes having admired the efforts of 54 green fingered and artistic souls who produced 177 exhibits for 32 classes in the exhibition.
The diligent judges, who gave of their time voluntarily, were amazed by the quality and quantity of the exhibits. Thank you to them for giving up 2-3 hours for the task:
Horticulture – Bob Oliver.
Cookery, preserves, drink - Roger Bemand.
Floral Art – Yvonne Berry.
Photography – Allen Addis.
Painting – Colin Simmonds.
The overall winners of the show with the greatest number of points were:
Clive Compton 1st 28 points
Christine Hooper 2nd 19 points
Joanne Davies 3rd 15 points
Carole Sandhu HC 14 points
Thanks are due also a team of judges’ stewards led by Janet Ivison and also to Charlotte Lewis, Joanne Davies, Helen Bufton and Rebecca Davies who managed the exhibition administration and entrance.
The calm and beauty of the two acre, organic garden at Dovecote Barn was enjoyed by all who went there. For those who missed it on this occasion there is another opportunity on 21st and 22nd September 2-5pm as part of the NGS scheme by kind permission of Gill Pinkerton and Adrian Yeeles.
A cornucopia of home made cakes and sandwiches and their associated calories were served by a charming team led by Tina Lifely whilst a large team of safety stewards managed the parking and road safety.
The marketing, crucial to every successful event, was masterminded by Ruth Hickmott.
