Taken from THE BREAM MAGAZINE September 1869.
BREAM COTTAGE GARDENERS’ SOCIETY.
This Society held its fifth Annual Show at Colliers’ Beech, on Saturday, August 7th. The previous rain had somewhat counteracted the effect of the dry weather, and thus tended to swell the quantity, and improve the quality of the articles exhibited. These were arranged in two tents, kindly lent by Mr. Williams, of Nass, and Mr. Garland, of Aylburton, the Flowers being placed in one, the Vegetables in the other. The number of articles was largely in excess of last year’s display, when the continued drought had dried up the garden produce, and about the same as the total of the year before; the number of the three years being as follows:—
1867, 193 articles; 1868, 157; 1869, 191. The vegetables exhibited were excellent, and amongst many good specimens we may notice the Potatoes, Carrots, and Onions, as worthy of special praise. In the Flower Tent, the Pot Flowers, Designs, and Nosegays, shewed great care and taste; the Committee regret that these articles suffered some disturbance from the disarrangement of the tent, canvas and Poles; more serious damage might have been sustained, had it not been for the active assistance given by some of the Committee and their friends The wind, in fact, had risen with some force and caused this slight misadventure, otherwise the weather was all that could be wished for—fine and clear, without excessive heat. We have to thank Mr. Smith, gardener, of Lydney Park, and Mr. Collins, gardener, of Clanna Falls, for undertaking the office of judges, and for giving so much satisfaction in their adjustment of the prizes. These were presented to the winners in the evening by Sir James and Lady Campbell, and consisted chiefly of useful articles, such as quilts, chairs, crockery, tools, with which were combined pieces of a more ornamental character, vases, &c., as appropriate for designs and nosegays. Some of the more useful of the prizes were presents from Lady Campbell and Mrs. Noel. The Lydney Band, conducted by Mr. Edwards, played during the afternoon. A. list of the winners of prizes is added:—
Basket of Pot Flowers— 1st prize, George Webb; 2nd, George Summers.
Basket of Fruit.—lst, George Summers; 2nd, John Croome.
Nosegay—William Thomas; 2nd, James Billy.
Basket of Wild Flowers—lst, Mrs. Nicholls; 2nd, George Jenkins.
Design, &c.—lst, George Webb; 2nd, Arthur Kear.
Collection of Medicinal Herbs— Richard Brain.
Best Four Cabbages—1st, William Thomas; 2nd, Richard Johnson; 3rd, Richard Howells.
Half-peck Potatoes— 1st, Richard Johnson; 2nd, John Hunt; 3rd, John Baker; 4th, Thomas Kear.
Half-peck Green Peas—lst, John Shingles; 2nd, John Hunt; 3rd, William Miles.
Broad Beans- 1st, Frank Lucas; 2nd, George Jacobs; 3rd Richard Howells.
Best Three Cucumbers—1st, Albert Carey; 2nd, Richard Howells.
Best Six Carrots—1st, Richard Howells; 2nd, Richard Hewlett, Jun.
Best Six Turnips—1st, Thomas Batten; 2nd, Frank Lucas; 3rd, John Hunt.
Best Six Parsnips—lst, William Thomas; 2nd, John Morgan; 3rd, John Hunt.
Best Three Cauliflowers—1st, Richard Howells; 2nd, Richard Johnson.
Best 24 Spring Onions—1st, William Miles; 2nd, John Hunt; 3rd, George Summers; 4th, William Thomas.
Best Six Winter Onions—1st, Richard Johnson; 2nd, Matthew Kear; 3rd, William Miles; 4th, John Hunt.
Best Six Lettuces—1st, Richard Johnson; 2nd, John Hunt; 3rd, Richard Howells.
Rest Three Sticks of Celery—1st, Charles Jones; 2 Albert Carey.
Dish of Scarlet Runners—lst, George Wintour; 2nd, Alfred Budd.
Best Basket of Vegetables—1st, Charles Jones; 2nd Albert Carey; 3rd, Mrs. Sarah Watkins; 4th, William Miles.
Best Six Sticks of Rhubarb—lst John Hunt; 2nd, James Thomas.
