Bampton Gardening Club

The Bampton Horticultural Society was formed a century or so ago, and used to run various shows annually in the Village. The Societ lapsed with the start of World War II, and it was not until 1971, that it was re-started, when a Village resident Arnold Woodley and friends were reminiscing about old times in the George and Dragon - sadly another pub not around anymore. Many keen gardeners, as well as the proprietors of the George and Dragon, Mr & Mrs Fred Hammond, were in this group when the idea of a revival of the late Flower Show came up. The original Flower Show was always held at Weald Manor, but due to the war and turmoil afterwards it seemed to have been forgotten, until a few beers brought the memories back. Interest in the village then grew in the revival, and very soon the newly named Bampton Horticultural Society was back in business with 56 members.

The first two shows were held in August and October 1972. The August show was the Summer Flower Show, and was held in a marquee in Sandfords Field. The October show was the autumn Dahlia and Chrysanthemum Show and was held in the Village Hall. Nowadays there’s only one show, which the Committee tries to time right with the weather and neighbouring shows, sometimes getting it right, and sometimes not!

Back in the old days, there was so much more competition between the villagers and outsiders than what there is today. One reason, sadly, is the loss of the old gardeners who have gone to ‘the great greenhouse in the sky’. However, competition there still is, and the prizes are fiercely contested!

Some years back. the name of the Society was changed to  ‘The Bampton Gardening Club’ in the hope it would attract a broader membership including families, although this does not appear to have been a raging success – yet. An alternative view is that the name was changed because no one could spell horticultural!

Until 2002, The Gardening Club ran only one show annually, in the Autumn, and it catered for flowers, vegetables, home cookery, needlework, gardens and allotments, and handicrafts.

Since 2003, however, there are two shows; one summer show held at the end of June or early July, and the Autumn Show held in September.

The Club also runs outings throughout each year to a variety of locations. Recent trips have been made to The Royal Show at Stoneleigh, the Malvern Show, and a shopping trip to the Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Birmingham. Details of such trips can be found under 'Forthcoming Events' elsewhere in the Website.

To join the Club - which is not restricted to residents of Bampton only - please contact  - Mrs Fenella Gray on 01993 851653. Annual subscriptions are £3 (OAPs £2).