Our Story

Discover how our show has evolved over the years.

1862

The very first Hanley Castle Horticultural and Flower Show was established by local gentry to inspire residents to take pride in their cottages and gardens. Backed by Sir Edmund Lechmere, the event took place at the historic Severn End grounds. Admission was just a shilling, though local workers received special entry. It was a day of friendly competition, with cash prizes for the best-kept gardens, the neatest cottages, and even the finest pigs. After the judging, the community enjoyed traditional rustic sports and live performances by the Hanley Castle Institute and Upton Rifle Bands, lasting well into the evening.

Sir Edmund Lechmere

1863

The event moved to Blackmore Park, hosted by John Vincent Hornyold. Its popularity quickly grew to include Welland parish, with the show rotating locations annually, though it often returned to the beautiful Severn End.

1864

Now known as the Hanley and Welland Horticultural Society, the show featured impressive displays from local figures like Sir Edmund Lechmere and Earl Beauchamp, who showcased exotic ferns and prize-winning roses. While the gentry shared their finest greenhouse plants, the day was filled with fun for everyone, including quirky events like donkey and sack racing. A heartwarming tradition began when children from the Upton Workhouse were invited as special guests of the Lechmeres for a day of music and treats, accompanied by the melodies of the Hanley Institute band.

Victorian visitors to the Cottagers' Flower Show at Coleshill Park, 1858

The awarding of prizes at a 19th cottagers' flower show.

1873

Generosity continued to define the show when Samuel Martin offered extra prize money to families known for their good conduct and character. By 1875, Lady Lechmere was personally serving tea and fresh fruit to visiting children, while Sir Edmund encouraged them with a small gift of pocket money for their visit. These gestures cemented the show's reputation as a supportive community event that looked after all its members, blending high-quality horticulture with a genuine spirit of kindness and local charity.

1893

The show expanded to Malvern Wells, drawing huge crowds. However, not everyone was pleased! One local resident famously complained to the newspaper about a noisy steam-powered merry-go-round. He was quite upset that the 'infernal machine' drowned out the sophisticated classical music of the Malvern Rhine Band with its loud, popular tunes. He even claimed that in the British colonies, such a disturbance wouldn't be tolerated! This comical piece of history reminds us that even over a century ago, balancing traditional music with modern carnival fun was a topic of heated village debate.

Visitors looking at floral exhibits in a flower show, 1950s.

A typical mid twentieth-century flower show

The Modern Era

After pausing in the early 1900s, the show was revived in 1952 to help fund our local Village Hall. It evolved into a classic fete featuring flowers, home-baked cakes, and children's art. A bit of friendly drama occurred in the 1950s when professional gardener Percy Clutterbuck began entering his flawless vegetables, causing quite a stir among the amateurs! Today, he and his wife Holly are remembered through the Clutterbuck Cups. By the 1980s, the traditional fete gave way to the popular car boot sales we know today, keeping the community spirit alive for new generations.

• 1862• 1863 • 1864 • 1893 • 1952 •