The Bream Summer Show 2015
Bream Gardening Society was founded in 1865 to encourage, improve and extend the members’ knowledge of all branches of horticulture. Our Summer Show started in 1865 and since then has been held every year except 1926, the year of the General Strike, when there was great hardship in the Forest of Dean.
It even continued during the 1914-18 and 1939-45 wars. We were able to hold the show in wartime because until the 1960’s the Forest of Dean was an important mining area. Mining continued during the wars, so a good proportion of the local community were able, and were also very keen, to keep the Show running.
We held special events in 2015 to mark the Society’s 150th anniversary, and have researched the Society’s early years.
Special events held in 2015
June – Bream Open Gardens weekend, and Morris dancing in Bream
June Launch of Unearthed Ian Hendy’s book on the history of Bream Gardening Society.
July to September – Special display about the Society’s history at the Dean Heritage Centre
15th August – Summer Flower and Produce Show on Bream Rugby Field
24th October – Autumn Chrysanthemum and Craft Show
The Anniversary Quilt
See the story of the special anniversary quilt made for the 2015 150th show.
Banners for the Show Tent
In addition to the quilt and banner, members of the ‘Quilting Bee’ made individual banners showing flowers, vegetables, birds and butterflies to celebrate the joy of gardening using a variety of sewing techniques. The quilt, name banner, individual banners and bunting were used to decorate the main marquee for the 150th Show in August 2015.
Early show reports
There are several reports from Bream Parish Magazines on the ‘Historical Items’ button, they make interesting reading.