The King’s Newnham and Church Lawford Triennial Show began in 1900, known as the “Flower Show and Industrial Exhibition” and as the name suggests it was to be held every three years, and featured village crafts as well as garden produce.
The reports of each of the five pre-First World War Shows in the Rugby Advertiser were tremendously detailed, reflecting the interest in the show. The report for the first show in 1900 was as follows :
Gratifying success attended a flower and industrial exhibition, coupled with athletic sports, held at the Hall, King’s Newnham, on Wednesday. The show, which was the first of its kind, was promoted chiefly for the benefit of the residents of Church Lawford and King’s Newnham, to whom most of the classes were restricted. It was a delightful afternoon, sunny and warm-almost ideal in fact-and the number of visitors from Rugby and neighbouring places who entered Mr J Brierly’s prettily-situated grounds and gardens, the latter being resplendent with flowers in charming profusion, must have been encouraging to the promoters, and should inspire them to arrange for similar holidays in the future.
The ideas originated with the Rev S W Frost, the rector of the parish. He conferred with Mr T Riddell and several other leading residents, and the upshot was that a meeting of those principally concerned was convened. The undertaking commended itself to the parishioners who attended, many of whom have worked energetically to ensure its success, and, thanks to the labours of committees for the different departments, a remarkably interesting collection of exhibits, embracing quite a variety of subjects, was obtained, including not merely horticultural produce, but needlework, confectionery, paintings, poultry, baskets, working models, &c. Indeed, the variety of the exhibition was one of its salient features. Beginning with the industrial section, the visitor found a capital assortment of needlework. That for which cottagers were responsible was praiseworthy, although, as was only to be expected, the articles would not compare with the best of those to be seen in the amateurs’ division. To comment upon everything that was good would be impossible, but in the open class there was really a nice lot of cakes; and the paintings and etchings, if not up to academy standard, were at all events interesting. as were the exhibits in the class for working models.
A class for the best shilling supper for four persons brought out a strong competition, from which the visitor was able to pick up useful hints as to the economical production of an excellent repast The first prize supper was particularly inviting. Considering the limits of the show, the display of horticultural produce was better than might have been expected. Mr T Daniels’ (Thurlaston) prize tray of vegetables was unusually fine, and the same exhibitor sent collection of cut flowers that would have taken some besting anywhere. For the time of the year the roses were fairly good, and of fruit the collections were excellent. Children contributed their quota to the interest of the exhibition. To have secured such beautiful bouquets of wild flowers and grasses, some of them must have searched the meadows and lanes industriously, whilst the entries of wild fruit were, if anything, more remarkable still. Blackberries, crab apples, nuts, elderberries, sloes, hips, acorns, haws, barberries, and other varieties were found on the winning trays. Mr F Whiteman showed a curious fern of the “monkey tree ” variety that was deservedly placed first in the class for window plants.
As is usual on such occasions, room was found for exhibits not for competition. Messrs Turner (Brandon) and Dale (Easenhall) sent plates of red currents, those shown by the former being extraordinary fruit, and a grand collection of vegetables was sent by Mr Colledge, of Brandon. His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch was chosen president of the enterprise, and the general committee, who must have worked assiduously, consisted of the following:-Rev S W Frost (chairman), Messrs W I W Townsend, T Chalmers, Cullen, J Bean, J Batchelor, C Whiteman, Palmer, W Whiteman, FP Lightfoot, T Tuckey. F Whiteman, H Paine, J Brierly (treasurer) and T Riddell (secretary). For the industrial section the committee was Mrs Frost, the Misses A W Townsend, J W Townsend, Brierly, and Smith, Messrs Brierly, Tuckey, Lightfoot, and C Whiteman, with the Rev S Wallis Frost as hon secretary. The judges were – horticultural exhibits, Mr W Harman, gardener at Newnham Paddox; baskets, Mr Hall, Rugby; poultry, Mr W M Elkington, Rugby; butter, Mr Walker, Rugby; honey, Mr Franklin, County Council bee expert, who during the afternoon gave a demonstration in beekeeping; needlework, cookery, art, &c., Miss Margaret Taylor, Ware, Hants.
The awards were as follows:-
INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.
Cottagers’ Section.-Shirt (prizes by Miss Brierly), 1 E Prew, 2- Banbury. Print frock. 1- Burnham, 2 Eilen Knight. Holland apron, 2 Mrs C Whiteman. Patch mending, 1 J Charlton, 2 Maggie Whiteman. Plain patchwork, 2 A Cotton. Stockings (prizes by Miss A W Townsend). 1 M Knight, 2 Ann Hall. Knitted socks, 1 E Wyatt, 2 Mrs Kenney. Darning, 1 Maria Whiteman, 2 Charlotte Barrett. Hearthrug (prizes by Miss A W Townsend), 1 Anne Sewell, equal 2 JA Kenney and M Bugler. Cottage loaf (prizes by Mr J H Colledge), 1 Ann Franklin, 2 Bede Whiteman.
Amateur Section.-Petticoat, 1 Miss C Wauchope, 2 J Brierly, vhc Daisy Watts. Fancy pinafore, 1 J Brierly, equal 2 Mrs F Whiteman and Emily Griffin. Patchwork, 1 A Payne, 2 Fanny Wells, vhc E Prew. Specimen sewing (prizes by Miss J W Townsend), 1 J Brierly, 2 C Smith, 3 Mrs Farmer. Stockings, 1 Miss Smits, 2 Mrs Brierly. Gloves, 1 J Brierly, 2 E Brierly. Basket (by Mr Tuckey), 1 J Brierly. 2 HL Brierly, 3 E Brierly. Picture frame (by Mr Brierly), 1 L Harvey, 2 H E Brierly. “Got up’ collar and cuffs (by Mrs Brierly), 1 Miss Brown, 2 Mrs J Adams. Useful or ornamental article made from most useless material, 1 J Brierly, 2 J W Townsend, 3 C Whiteman. Model, HE Brierly. Butter, 1 Sarah Hammood, 2 W Farmer, vhc C Whiteman. Tarts, 1 A Frankton, 2 Mrs Townsend. Rice pudding, 1 Mrs T Tuckey, 2 J Brierly. Shilling supper (by Miss J W Townsend), 1 E Adams, 2 Mrs Batchelor.
Class B.-Children. Dressed doll (by Mrs Frost). 1 E Dumbleton, 2 N Batchelor. Kettle holder. 1 Florrie Meanwell, 2 Tilly Batchelor. Child’s pinafore, 1 N Batchelor. Letter, applying for situation. 1 HT Knott, 2 B Batchelor. Drawing of parish church, 1 HT Knott, 2 V Frankton.
Class C.-Open. Iced cake, 1 Annie Prew, 2 J Brierly. Sponge cake, 1 A W Townsend, 2 A Frankton Seed cake, 2 T Tuckey. Rice cake, 1 А Frankton, 2 A Prew. Fancy cakes, equal 1 M Brierly and J Brierly. Honey, 1 FP Lightfoot, 2 Miss J Brierly. Cock (by Mr HL Brierly), 1 HЕ Brierly, 2 T Tuckey. Hen (by Mr HL Brierly), 1 and special T Tuckey, 2 HE Brierly. Carving. equal 2 M Brierly, N A Frost, and J W Townsend Painting, 1 E Brierly, 2 W P Watson. Etching. equal 1 E Brierly and WP Watson. Working model, equal 1 HL Brierly and J Brierly. church,
DIVISION A.-Cottagers’ Horticultural Exhibits. Window display, 1 J Batchelor, 2 J Pincham, 3 D Gilbert. Flower or vegetable garden (by the Duke of Buccleuch), 1 J Pincham, 2 D Gilbert, 3 W Jones, 4 Mary Knight. Collection of vegetables, 1 W Farmer, 2 W Whiteman. Round potatoes, 1 D Gilbert, 2 W Whiteman. Kidney potatoes, 1- W Drage, 2 W Beers. Carrots. 1 W H Payne, 2 T Kenney. Cabbage, 1 D Gilbert, 2 W Farmer. Peas, 1 W Farmer, 2 W Whiteman. White turnips, 1 T Kenney, 2 D Gilbert. Parsnips, 1 W H Payne, 2 J Batchelor. Spring onions, 1 J Batchelor, 2 W H Payne. Winter onions, 1 W Beers, 2 J Batchelor. Vegetable marrows, 1 B Timms, 2 T Kenney. Scarlet runners 1 W H Payne, 2 W Jones.
DIVISION B.-Amateurs. Collection of vegetables, 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr T Riddell. Kidney potatoes. 1 Mr W Farmer, 2 Mr W H W Townsend. Round potatoes, 1 Mr W H W Townsend, 2 Mr J Brierly. White turnips, 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr W Farmer. Vegetable marrows, 1 Mr T Riddell. 2 Mr J Brierly. Peas, 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr W Farmer. Scarlet runners, 1 Mr Brierly. 2 Rev S W Frost. Carrots, 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr W Farmer. Parsnips, 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr T Riddell. Spring onions, 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr T Riddell. Winter onions, 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Rev S W Frost. Caulifowers, 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr W Farmer. Cabbage, Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr T Riddell. Beetroot, Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr W Farmer.
COTTAGERS’ CUT FLOWERS.-Hardy flowers, 1 J Batchelor. Window plant, 1 F W Whiteman, 2 J Batchelor, 3 G Beers. Dahlias, 1 W Jones. Bouquet of wild flowers, 1 Tilley Batchelor, 2 Edith Dumbleton, 3 Harold Knott. Collection of wild grasses, 1 Harold Knott, 2 Nellie Batchelor 3 Sidney Batchelor. Collection of wild fruit, 1 Nellie Batchelor, 2 Edith Dumbleton.
AMATEUR. CUT FLOWERS.-Dahlias, 1 Mr J Brierly. Asters, 1 Mr F Whiteman, 2 Mr J Brierly.
FRUIT.-Amateurs and Cottagers. Apples, 1 Rev S W Frost, 2 Mr T Riddell. Currants, 1 Mr T Riddell, 2 Mr F Whiteman. Gooseberries, 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr T Riddell. Rhubarb, 1 Mr W Palmer, 2 Rev S W Frost. Collection of fruit, 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Misses Townsend.
CLASS C -Open. Tray of vegetables (prizes by Mr Yarle), 1 Mr E Daniels, 2 Misses Townsend. Asters (by Mr T Ringrose), 1 Mr E Daniels. Collection of vegetables (prizes by Mr W Brooke, Rugby), 1 Mr T Riddell, 2 Mr W H W Townsend. Display of roses (by Messrs Hurst, of Hinckley) 1 Mr F Riddell, 2 Mr E Daniels, 3 Misses Townsend. Cut flowers (by the Rugby Angling Association). 1 M E Daniells, 2 Miss S Townsend, 3 Mr J Brierly.
The sports, which took place on the at ground adjoining the river, afforded amusement during the afternoon. The competitors were chiefly local, and their acquaintances watched their fortunes in the various events with keen interest. Mr W H W Townsend officiated as judge, Mr J Cullen as starter, whilst Mr H Brierly undertook the duties of handicapper and secretary. The Sports Committee consisted of the Rev S W Frost, Messrs J Benn, H Bird, H L Brierly, R W Brown, J Cullen, W H Payne, F Whiteman, and W H W Townsend.
Results:- 100 YARDS FLAT RACE (open)-W Frankton 1, G Webb 2. Also ran-E Hopkins and G Spencer. 200 YARDS FLAT RACE (handicap), boys under 20.-H Dumbleton. ½ yd, 1; Joseph Pincham, 15yds, 2. Also ran-S Batchelor, 29yds; A H Knott, 16yds; and James Pincham, 19 yards. 100 YARDS HURDLE RACE (open) -W Dumbleton 1, G Kenney 2 H L Brierly 3. Also ran-G Spencer and W Frankton. Good finish. 70 YARDS SACK RACE. -W Dumbleton 1, H Dumbleton 2, E Hopkins 3. Also ran-H L Brierly and H Styles. An easy thing for the winner. HALE MILE FLAT RACE (open)-W Frankton 1, G Webb 2. Also started-W Dumbleton, G Kenney, and G Spencer. Webb was leading until within 40 yards of the tape, when Frankton passed him, and got home first by several yards. CUTTING DOWN LEG OF MUTTON.-Winner, J Batchelor. Also competed-H L Brierly, RW Brown, H Dumbleton, G Gilbert, J Kenney. E Hopkins, O Payne, H Styles, and W Farmer. This event caused a great deal of amusement, and was watched with considerable interest by the crowd of spectators.