Show History

61th - 2009 Show: Pictures | Winners | Flyer

60th - 2008 Show: Pictures | Winners | Flyer

59th - 2007 Show: Pictures | Winners | Flyer

58th - 2006 Show: News Review

1st to the 57th show archieve comming soon...

 

The Show Goes on:

The first Shiplake, Dunsden and Harpsden Flower Show was held at Holmwood, Binfield Heath in 1882. This was not a permanent home for the Show at this time and the event alternated between Crowsley Park, Shiplake House and Holmwood.

Contemporary accounts indicate that the Show was popular with the public and soon expanded to include crafts such as knitting, sewing and cooking, hi addition to classes for vegetables and flowers. Gardeners working on some of the large local estates added a competitive edge with the quality of their entries.

The Show continued to grow in scope during the years leading up to the First World War and new features added to the programmeme including side shows, races and dancing. By this time, the standing of the Show was such that it became an important annual event serving the local community.

There was a lull in activities during World War Two and the first post-war show was staged at Holmwood in 1948 as the Binfield Heath Flower Show. Since then, it has been held in the village every year. Moving with the times, entry classes have been expanded to include new activities and interests while retaining the essential drive and enthusiasm which have motivated the Show from the beginning.

This was reflected in last year's entries which included 190 classes attracting nearly eight hundred participants; an all-time record.