Upton by Chester Horticultural Society

We have limited details of the history of our awards: on behalf of the Society, Brian Cox would be pleased to receive any further information which members might have to supplement the statements below.

By 1949 the Society had accumulated seven cups. Six were insured for £8 and one for £25. The donors were:

Reg L Barnett                                       Allen Hurst
Mrs D Epton                                         Mrs Frank Morris
David Miln                                            Mrs C Norman and Miss E M Main

Today (2006) we award 24 trophies- Cups, Bowls or Shields, which are important in encouraging entries of the highest possible standard to our Shows. Yet every item on show- even a single entry by (perhaps) a new member- is equally important. The “courage” to submit that entry is praiseworthy and is recognised. Most of those who win the annual trophies will have started in a similarly hesitant manner. The awards remind us that every entry is most welcome.

In 2006, in recognition of the Society’s Diamond Jubilee, the Summer Show schedule included a Heritage Section, with 11 classes which were scheduled in 1946- such as Half a Dozen Eggs. No cup was available, but the prizes awarded were the same as in 1946: First 5/- (five shillings), Second 2/6d (half a crown) and Third 1/- (one shilling). In addition, each child entering an item in the Show received a shiny pre-decimal threepenny-bit (3d).

Sixty years ago, a First prize would have bought 50 cigarettes and matches, or a “perm” for a lady’s hair, or a bottle of sherry, a china tea set, or paid for two best seats at the cinema, or soled and heeled a pair of shoes. Today, our cash prizes range from £5 down to 50p.

The trophies are listed below in alphabetical order, mostly by the donor’s surname:-

Tom Allen Challenge Salver

After our highly respected President died this year, his widow Blanche kindly donated a silver trophy in his name. It is to be awarded each year in a different class, in any of the Shows, as chosen that year by the Committee. In the Spring Show 2007 it will be Daffodil Class 6.

Tom had a lifetime love of plants, which inspired him to travel worldwide seeing where many of our garden plants originated. After gaining the Wisley Diploma of the R.H.S. and achieved a degree in Horticulture, he became the Superintendent of Sutton Coldfield’s ornamental and extensive natural parks. He was involved in setting up the Wisley exhibit at the first Chelsea Flower Show after WW2.
With Shell, he played a major role in landscaping their pipeline from Anglesey to Stanlow: he led the team which reinstated the disturbed land, ensuring that the farmland was returned in an improved state.
For several years he was a member of the R.H.S. Committee in London.

He had a particular fondness for alpines, but his general knowledge of horticultural matters was immense. Our Society was fortunate to have his expert advice and guidance.

Reg Barnett owned the land at 22 Heath Road, next to the British Legion. He is believed to have been either a local solicitor or an accountant, and was probably a founder member of the Society in 1946.

In August 2005 the Society decided to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee year with an extra cup, to be awarded for Pot Plants, one of the largest sections of the Autumn Show, which nevertheless was without a trophy. The cup is silver, dated 1911, and has a Chester hallmark.

Mrs Doris was described to the author as “a really nice lady”: she lived in Church Lane, and each year would host a Garden Party in her grounds- where children’s games are still remembered by some senior members of the Society. Among other things, she grew geraniums in pillars but her great interest was in fruit trees. In May 1948 she gave what is recorded as a “Special Prize” for the lady member gaining the most points at the Annual Show (the Spring Show was not introduced until the following year). Could this “Prize” be the Challenge Cup for Fruit, which we now have in her name?

Present members seem to know little about Mrs Hurley, who lived off Long Lane. At one time, she worked in a florist’s shop in Hoole, and she was invited to present the prizes at the 1984 Show. She was prominent in the WI and she used to make gloves and lampshades, and do drawn thread work. She was also a lecturer in flower arranging at evening classes.

Allen Hurst Summer Show Challenge Cup (Flowers, miscellaneous, decorative and foliage, Summer Show)

Mr Hurst is believed to have worked at Brookhirst, the local electrical firm that closed about 1980. He was also much involved with the charitable works of the Rotarians, and was a keen member of Upton Golf Club.

Mr Hutton was a member as far back as 1961, and was at one time the Chairman of the Society. He was regarded as a specialist rose exhibitor. After he died in 1966, his widow Mrs Hutton kindly presented this cup as “a constant reminder of the devoted work and long service given to the Society”.

One of our senior members stated: “Len Jeffery was the best chrysanthemum grower the Society has ever seen. He was an auctioneer with the firm of Joseph Wright, who lived firstly at Flag Lane North, and later at Kelsall from 1958, where he ran the village stores. He didn’t have a garden there, so he took part of a farmer’s field as an allotment, where once again he could grow his beloved chrysanthemums. Mr and Mrs Jeffery were both elected as Life Members of the Society for their “long and loyal service”. At the time he was the Secretary he was held in such respect by the members that they raised a “presentation by subscription”. His widow Doris, daughter Pam and son Alan presented the cup to the Society after his death in 1973, indicating that it be awarded to “the best exhibit in Section A of the Autumn Show” (presumably Chrysanthemums). At that time, the cup was valued at £45, and the insured value of all the trophies was £1543- a considerable sum thirty years ago!

This cup was presented in 1961 by Mrs S L Levy, in memory of her late husband. Initially it was awarded for a class chosen by the committee. In June 1960, the committee resolved to encourage the submission of floral arrangements by the Upton Flower Society, and in August of that year a new “Floral Art Certificate” had been established. Presumably, the Cup then took over from the certificate.

John Robert Cornwall Lumley lived at Flag Lane North and worked with the Audit Department of Cheshire County Council. Known to everyone as Bob, he was a stalwart of the Society for many of the post-WW2 years. He is recorded in the Society’s 1952 Minutes as being the Honorary Auditor “and a long-established committee member”. He was renowned equally for the splendour of his garden, and for his work in obtaining gardening needs and supplying them to members. On retirement from the Society in 1977 he was made a Life Member, together with Messrs Denning and Cassady after “serving on the committee since the founding of the Society”. A native of Yorkshire, he and Mrs Lumley donated the cup bearing his name in 1979. He died in 1984: his daughter Ann is still an active member of the Society.

Millennium Cup (Children’s classes, under 11, Summer and Autumn Shows combined)

As the two children’s classes had only one trophy, the committee decided in 2000 to purchase this cup for the younger children. Their competitions usually involve children’s craft work, e.g., colouring pictures, making small creatures (a bee, a dinosaur etc) or collage.

David L Miln President’s Challenge Cups (Summer Show, overall winner; Autumn Show, awarded for the most points in the Chrysanthemum section)

The 1947 records show that Mr David Miln certainly donated one of these cups: at that time it was awarded for the best exhibit in the Summer Show. The second cup is first recorded from the 1950s as a trophy in the Open Competition for Chrysanthemums. David Miln was made President within a month of the Society’s forming in 1946, and he continued in office for several years. Born in Dundee in 1888, one of eleven children, he moved to Chester in 1926, and died in 1953. A close friend of Ralph Seddon, he lived firstly at Mollington Banastre, and later at Craxton Wood- before both these houses became hotels. He founded the seed packing and distribution company based in a former mill alongside the canal in Chester, behind the former Royalty Theatre- on which the sign “Miln’s Seeds” can still be seen- and became a well-known local businessman. A keen gardener, he is particularly remembered for funding the conversion at Overleigh of the dull concrete roundabout and maintaining its present horticultural splendour.

Mrs Morris, who died in January 1967, was the wife of a former President of the Society, who resigned in 1963. He was a plumber, who lived opposite the Wheatsheaf, and a very keen exhibitor of vegetables and chrysanthemums.

Reg and Mary Morris Cup (Children’s classes, over 11, Summer and Autumn Shows combined)

Reg Morris’ specialities were roses and dahlias. He retired as Chairman in January 1986 after 40 years of service to the Society, but he and his wife declined the offer of Honorary Life Membership. However, he accepted the position of Honorary Vice President. In August 1985 a cup which had apparently been presented to Reg and Mary Morris (presumably by the Society) was returned, to be awarded for the most points achieved in the Children’s classes at the two main shows. This has continued ever since. Reg Morris was a motor engineer with Crosville Buses, and he married the sister of Jack Pritchard.

Mrs C Norman and Miss E M Main Challenge Cup (Preserves, Summer and Autumn Shows, presented half-yearly)

This cup raised some interest a few years ago because it is older than the Society. By 1952 Heywood Lodge had become a coeducational secretarial college called Normain College, the name being drawn from the names of the trustee proprietors Mr Frank Norman, Mrs C Norman and Miss E M Main. In 1960 Mrs Norman and Miss Main retired and Mr Nelson Carrington took over as Principal. However, due to various circumstances, the roll of students dwindled and the college had to close in 1961. At this time Mrs Longman’s school, which was to become The Firs School, was flourishing, despite its accommodation in military huts in the grounds adjoining Heywood Lodge. The house had been requisitioned during the war by the 47th Anti-Aircraft Unit. Mrs Longman bought Normain College, and in 1962 moved her school lock, stock and barrel, through a door in the garden wall to re-open in its present building as The Firs School.

In September 1973 the Society launched a Bulb Show as a Spring event, which is now called the Spring Show. Although it takes place in an evening, it gives a good start to our gardening year, with a bright show and many entries. The origin of the cup is currently unknown.

The report of the 1969 Annual General Meeting shows that “the Society was greatly indebted to Mr John Pritchard, a Vice President and Committee member, for the gift of the John Pritchard Dahlia Cup”. By occupation, John was a Pest Controller, and the brother of Mary Morris (see the Reg and Mary Morris Cup). He was a very good dahlia grower.

As part of his company’s collaboration with the local community, Mr Graham Sutherland, Manager of Safeway Supermarket (now Morrison’s), contacted the Society in 2001 generously offering a Silver Cup to be awarded at the Autumn Show to the exhibitor gaining the most points.

This cup is at least 56 years old, since records show it was awarded in 1950. Minutes of a Committee meeting in 1948 record Mr Seddon’s efforts in seeking to acquire a suitable “silver cup, to be a future Challenge Cup”. A member in 1948, shortly after the Society was formed, Ralph Seddon became President that year, and again some years later. This cup, which he donated, was originally intended for an Open Class in the November Show. Mr Seddon died in 1966. Some time later, Rev. Wheldon Williams, who featured prominently in the work of the Society for many years, insisted on a rule that the Cup could only be awarded to an Upton resident. Bill Golding, Secretary, wrote to Miss Seddon, who lived in Gatesheath Drive, seeking permission to change the cup to a class nominated by the committee. Miss Seddon (an aunt of Chris Hewitt, a current committee member) agreed to this change.

The best years for Chrysanthemums at the Society’s Shows are regarded as the 1960s and 1970s, when there were about ten regular growers and exhibitors, the best of whom may have been Len Jeffery (see entry under his Cup). His star bloom was “Gypsy”. Judges in those days included Harry Watson (Wrexham), Syd Berry (Kingsley) and Frank Brassington (Northwich- or Frodsham?). Mr Seddon was the proprietor of the family salt business based on the canal-side at Gorse Stacks. The family lived at Upton Rise on Mill Lane, the house subsequently occupied by the Misses Joseph. Mr Seddon was prominent in local affairs, being a member and sometime Chairman of the former Chester Rural District Council.

In May 1948 this award was made to some fortunate Society member! It was given for winning the most points in “Bottled Fruit in Water”. Perhaps the spoons are still in use by the same family? It is believed that Captain Shepherd lived opposite the Village Hall. It would complete the Society’s records to know who won the spoons in 1948. Obviously, the award ceased instantly, after that!

Peter Snelson, a local nurseryman, became a committee member in 1947- when, amazingly, there were 87 classes in the show schedule. He lived in Upton all his working life and gave, as the committee minutes show, “exemplary service”, both as a lecturer and a show judge. He was renowned for- on one occasion- breaking up a runner bean of doubtful quality with the words: “I have not come here to judge rubbish!”.

He lived in Brooke Avenue and rented land on what is now the A41, by the Zoo Park and Ride, adjacent to the Zoo lecture hall. Well known locally for growing and budding roses, he also grew a few shrubs for sale. He would also make arrangements of flowers for weddings and funerals. His wife Rose, who became his widow, was a great help in his business. Both Peter and Rose were members of the choir at Holy Ascension Parish Church. Having no four-wheel transport, Mr Snelson went around Upton on a bicycle. He died in a road traffic accident in 1971. In March the following year the Rose Bowl was donated by Mrs Rose Snelson: records show that it was awarded in 1972 to Mr J B Ackerley.

Standring Challenge Bowl (most points in Spring, Summer and Autumn Shows combined)

In 1964 Frank Billington and H Dodd, on behalf of the “Chester Autumn Sports Committee” (perhaps closing down at that time?) made what is recorded as their “generous gift” to the Society of a silver bowl which, it would seem, was already known at that time as the Standring Challenge Bowl. Who that person was remains unknown. If you know, please tell us! There may be some connection with the former Sports Club on Newton Lane.

The Carnival Organising Committee is known to have given several trophies to the major groups who regularly took part, including the Flower Club and the Horticultural Society. Committee minutes show that the Upton Horticultural Society gave two guineas to the Carnival Committee to fund the bouquets for the Carnival Queen and Miss Upton. The Society regularly supported the event in various ways, which in 1978 included manning (or womanning) “a still” and a plant stall. The former, presumably, was a tea-urn and not something more powerful! It was in that year that the Carnival Committee donated this Cup for vegetables. It was formally presented at the Autumn Show by Mrs Clegg, Secretary of the Carnival Committee. A written report of 1981 indicates that the Carnival had been discontinued. The cup was re-silvered by the Society in 2003.

Upton Parish Council Challenge Cup (most points in the year, without having won another trophy)

In January 2002 Upton Parish Council, whom the Society had supported several times in their Best Kept Garden Competition, presented this silver cup, which was hall-marked in 1918. It was decided to award it to the person gaining the most points during the year without having won any other Cup, Bowl or Shield. It is therefore an award to the year’s best “runner-up”

The original shield was a tastefully refurbished toilet seat produced by a local carpenter- perhaps Mr Wilkinson himself! It started life 57 years ago, when the committee minutes recorded it as “the admirable Dahlia Challenge Shield”. Fortunately, the record also shows that in 1959 it was replaced with a proper shield, and at that time named after “H W Wilkinson”. In 1959 it was won by Mr J Pritchard

Banksian Medal (Most points in Flowers, excluding Floral Art, Fruit, Pot Plants and Vegetable classes in the Spring, Summer and Autumn shows combined)

This award is placed at the end of the list because it does not belong to the Society. Nevertheless, it is important to mention this prestigious medal as it ranks somewhat higher than anything the Upton Horticultural Society can offer. In recognition of our Society’s standards, the Royal Horticultural Society awards annually an engraved Banksian Medal, together with a commemorative card. It recognises serious achievement, and may be regarded as the Society’s premier award. It is given in addition to our cash prizes for points.

The Medal is named after Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), one of Britain’s greatest naturalists. An ardent botanist, he travelled around the world with Captain Cook and made other visits to Newfoundland, Iceland, and the Hebrides. As President of the Royal Society he became the greatest patron of William Aiton, the founder of Kew Gardens, and encouraged its collection of plants from around the world.

Trophies awarded by the Upton Horticultural Society

Tom Allen Challenge Salver

Allen Hurst Summer Show Challenge Cup (Flowers, miscellaneous, decorative and foliage, Summer Show)