From the start of the 20th Century the two villages held a Flower, Produce and Craft Show every three years – the Triennial Show. The report below gives a flovour of how it became an important part of village life. It also shows the depth of reporting that the “local correspondents” would contribute to the local newspapers, notably the Rugby Advertiser. This show was to continue through to the 1930s, moving to the Reading Room in Church Lawford in latter years.
FLOWER SHOW AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION AT KINGS NEWNHAM.
The fourth triennial Flower show and industrial exhibition, open to Church Lawford and Kings Newnham, was held at The Hall, by permission or Mr J Brierly, on Wednesday, and was again a great success. With the weather so unsettled, as it has been throughout the present summer. fortunate indeed must they be regarded who, for outdoor events, are favoured with a bright, sunny day. The outlook, so far as this exhibition was concerned, was gloomy in the extreme up to late on Tuesday night, and the work of preparing for the show went on in a drenching rain. which, together with a stationary barometer, filled the promoters with apprehension for the morrow. But happily the morning broke fine, and under the influences of a warm sun and a keen breeze, all traces of the previous day’s deluge speedily disappeared; while, as the day advanced, the wind dropped, and the conditions were as pleasant as anyone might desire. The Hall is picturesquely situated on the brow of a hill. commanding an extensive view over fertile meadows, through which the river Avon meanders, to the rich uplands beyond, and with its pretty gardens and well-kept lawns is in itself well worth a visit. With such conditions prevailing, and with such genial surroundings to spend the afternoon in, it would have been surprising had there not been a large attendance.
The exhibition is not run on the lines common to most village flower shows. The bulk of the prize money is provided by local residents and others, amongst whom may be mentioned Mr and Mrs J Brierly, Misses Brierly, Mr H L Brierly, the Misses Townsend, Mr H W W Townsend RN, the Rev G W and Mrs Jenkins, Miss C Smith, Mr and Mrs Dunn, Miss Dunn. Mr J C Dunn, Mr R J Dunn, Mr W H S Dunn, Miss Price, Mr C G Bolam, Col Caldecott, Mrs Hefford, the Duke of Buccleuch, Mrs Cullen, Mr J H Colledge, Miss Goodman, Mr J Parker, the C.E.T.S, the Band of Hope, Mr J Crawley. Mr E Eve, the Rugby Angling Association, Mr C P Hastings. Messrs Yarde & Co, and others, and the idea of the promoters is to encourage local talent in whatever direction it may be. Thus prizes are offered for musical compositions, for paintings in oil and water colours, for pen and ink sketches, for boot mending (by amateurs), for useful things made from apparently useless articles; and so on, and the results are often most surprising.
The flower. fruit and vegetable section, in which there were nearly 350 entries, may be dismissed with a word—it was admirable—but the industrial section. in which the entries numbered something like 560, is deserving of much more than passing notice. There were paintings which afforded evidence of considerable artistic skill, and the musical compositions were very highly spoken of by the judge. There were nicely-composed and neatly-written essays by members of the Parochial Band of Hope on “What is the use of a Band of Hope” and much poetic ability was shown by the winners in the class for the poem on “Women’s Rights”. The needlework was of uniform excellence, and the straw door-mats made by the men and the hearthrugs by the women were of great merit. Prizes were offered for pastry, home-made bread and cakes, suppers for four persons, and so on. and the tasty viands displayed in the tents would have satisfied an epicure. Probably one of the most useful classes was that for amateur boot-mending. and the work of the prize-winner—Messrs F Cooke and J Pincham—would have done credit to many a journeyman. The home-made articles from materials costing only a few coppers were marvels of skill, and in the class for ornamental articles, made from the most useless material, Mr Brierly was awarded premier honours for a pretty little rustic table made from briar roots. Amateur photography is also encouraged and there were several sets of pictures where the subjects had not only been well chosen, but where the plates had been well developed, and the printing. toning, and fixing carried through with the greatest success. The Industrial Committee was composed as follows:—Mrs Brierly, Mrs Cullen. Mrs Dunn, Miss A W Townsend, Miss J W Townsend, Miss J Brierly, Miss Smith, Miss Price, and Mr C Whiteman. with Mr J Brierly as hon secretary. The Flower Show Committee consisted of the Rev G W Jenkins (chairman), Mrs Jenkins, Miss S W Townsend, Mr J W Backhouse, Mr J Batchelor, Mr T Chalmers, Mr F Cooke, Mr J Crawley, Mr W Farmer, Mr D Lobley, and Mr W Whiteman. Mr H L Brierly acted as hon secretary to this committee, and also superintended the arrangements generally. Miss McClure, Mrs Waller. and Mrs Leeson judged the needlework; Mr Alderson judged the cut exhibits; Mr Basil Johnson the music; the Rev W H Payne-Smith the poems and essays; Mr Perkins the boots: Mr J Parker the flowers, fruit and vegetables ; Mr Gillings. of Cawston House, the gardens etc; and Mr A J Lee the pastry. bread, butter, cakes, &c. The awards were as follows :-
INDUSTRIAL SECTION
SECTION A — OPEN TO COTTAGERS ONLY
Shirt for working-man: 1 Mrs Batchelor, 2 Miss M Whiteman. r Mrs Frankton.
Overall: 1 Mrs Daniels, 2 Mrs F Cooke, r Mrs Dyer.
Plain Apron: 1 Miss M Pincham, 2 Mrs C Whiteman, r Lizzie Wyatt
Plain Blouse: 1 Lily Batchelor, 2 Mrs H Bird, r Emily Jones
Specimen flannel patch: 1 Miss L Batchelor. 2 Miss M Whiteman, 3 Mrs J Craxford, r Mrs H Bird
Woman’s chemise: 1 Mrs F Whiteman, 2 Mrs George Wells, r Mrs Farmer, sen.
Cotton patchwork cushion cover: 1 Miss W Prew, 2 Mrs G Wells. r Florence Smith.
Pair knitted socks: 1 Miss M Whiteman. 2 Mrs Kenney, r Lizzie Wyatt.
Cotton bonnet: 1 Mrs Hall, 2 Mrs Frankton, r Mrs Smith.
Hearthrug or doormat. made by men: 1 Mr Bates. 2 Mr Hopkins. 3 Mr Goode, r Mr J Holmes.
Hearthrug or doormat by women: 1 Mrs G Wells. 2 Mrs Hall, 3 Mrs William Farmer. r Mrs H Bird.
Best got-up collars and cuffs: 1 Mrs W Farmer, 2 Mrs G Wells r Mrs Rainbow.
A knitted article: 1 Mrs J Craxford. 2 Mrs Farmer. sen, 3 Miss E Knight r Miss R Wells
Boys’ suit: 1 Mrs Taylor, 2 Miss Benn, r Mrs Arthur Wells
Dish of pastry: 1 Mrs Frankton, 2 Mrs W Farmer. r Mrs Harry Bird.
Home-made and baked cottage loaf: I Mrs Frankton, 2 Mrs Jones. r Miss A Prew.
Plain fruit cake (1/2-lb. flour): 1 Edith Dumbleton. 2 Mrs F Cooke. r Mrs Lobley.
Amateur boot mending (sole and heel): 1 and 2 F Cooke. 3 and r John Pincham, hc Sidney Batchelor
Home-made article of food. not eligible to compete in above classes: 1 Mrs Benn, 2 Mrs H Bird. 3 Mrs G Wells. r Lily Batchelor.
Home-made article of work, not eligible to compete in shove classes: 1 Mrs J Craxford, 2 Miss E Knight. 3 Mrs H Bird. r Lily Batchelor
Home-made article, materials not costing more than 3d: 1 Mrs Farmer. sen, 2 Mrs R Wells, 3 Mrs King. 4 Miss Lily Batchelor, hc Nelly Batchelor and Florence Smith.
SECTION B.—OPEN TO AMATEURS & COTTAGERS.
Bag: 1 Miss A M Crofts. 2 Miss E W Townsend.
Blouse: 1 Jessie Brierly. equal 2 Miss Benn and Miss W W Brierly, r Miss E Brierly.
Knitted article: Equal 1, Mrs Townsend and Miss J Briefly. r Miss Bertha Townsend and Miss L Wyatt.
Pair of d’Oyleys: 1 Mr. Farmer. sen. .2 Miss J W Townsend.
Article Made From materials costing not more than 1s: I Miss .J W Townsend, 2 Miss Bertha Townsend, 3 Miss Alicia Dumbleton, hc Mrs Dunn.
Toy 1 Miss J W Townsend. 2 Miss W W Brierly, 3 Miss E Brierly.
Swiss roll: I Miss M B Smith, 2 Miss .J Brierly, r Miss A M Crofts.
Supper, ready for table, for four adults: 1 Mrs Batchelor. 2 Miss A Prew, r Mrs Frankton.
Two ½ lbs of butter: I Mrs .J Cullen. 2 Mrs. W Farmer, r Miss Leeson.
Dish of pastry: 1. Miss E Dumbleton, 2 Miss W Kingdon. r Mrs Jenkins.
Home-made walking stick: 1 Mr King. 2 Mr A Cooke.
Pair of pure-bred hens or pullets: 1 Mr C Dunn. 2 Mr H L Briefly, r Mrs Lobley.
Rustic garden seat or table: 1 Mr H L Brierly. 2 Mr J Brierly.
SECTION C Open to Children only.
For Girls under 15 on January 1st, 1909
Cotton patchwork, 9in. square, prices by Rev G W Jenkins: 1 Maude Farmer. 2 Hilda Farmer. 3 Winnie Hancox, hc Amy Addison.
Specimens of darning, patch and buttonhole: 1 Gertrude Farmer. 2 Isabella Lobley;. r Evelyn Cooke.
Pinafore (untrimmed): 1 Doris Cooke. 2 Gertrude Farmer. 3 Ethel Chambers. 4 Olive Gibbs.
Boys under 15 on January 1st
An illuminated text: 1 Tom Jones.
Painting from nature: 1 Cecil Hall. 2 Charles Howard, 3 Cecil Whiteman. r Harold Meanwell.
Boys and girls under 16 on January 1st.
Coloured map: 1 Evelyn Cooke. equal 2 Cecil Hall and Isabella Lobley.
String netting: 1 Tom Thorn. 2 Cecil Hall, 3 Evelyn Cooke. 4 May Limmage.
For Boys and girls under eight on January 1st.
Clay modelling: 1 Walter Dyer, 2 George Hall. 3 Herbert Gurney, r Dolly Rainbow.
Bag 5in. square: 1 Gwendoline Gurney. 2 Dolly Daniells. 3 Maggie Chambers.
For members of the Parochial Rand of Hope.
Essay on ” What is the use of a Band of Hope ” Equal 1 Gertrude Farmer and Robert Lobley, r Doris Cooke. c Isabella Lobley.
For past and present members of Miss E Brierly’s drawing class
Design for coloured tile, 6in. square: 1 Walter Cooke, 2 Thomas Jones.
SECTION D.—OPEN TO ALL.
Fruit or seed cake: 1 Mrs Percy Smith, 2 Mrs J Cullen, r Miss Kenney. hc Miss A M Crofts
Sponge cake: 1 Miss S E Kenney. 2 Miss E M Dunn, r Miss F Freeman.
Home-made sweets 1 Miss A W Townsend, 2 Miss A M Crofts
Poem, subject “Women’s Rights” (prizes by Miss E W Townsend): 1 Miss Ethel Smith, 2 Miss Goodman, f Mrs Hefford.
Carving: 1 Miss E Brierly, 2 Miss A M Crofts
Oil Painting: 1 Mrs J Cullen 2 Mr H E Smith
Water Colour Painting: 1 Miss C W Watson, 2 Miss M Townsend, hc Miss M C Townsend, hc Miss Englefield r Miss Winifred Stanley
Pen and Ink Drawing: 1 Miss Englefield, 2 Miss E Brierly, r Miss Englefield
Model (working or otherwise) 1 Mr W Rainbow (Post Office Letter Box), 2 Miss Julia W Townsend (elephant), r Miss E H Smith (church)
Natural Curiosity: 1 Mr F Cooke (hen’s egg), 2 Mr F Whiteman, r Miss A W Townsend (bird’s nest round rushes)
Most useful or ornamental article made from the most useless material: 1 Mr Brierly (rustic table), 2 Mr W Benn, 3 Miss J W Townsend.
Article, material not to cost more than 6½d: 1 Mrs R Brown, 2 Mrs Nicholls, 3 Mrs Percy Smith.
Fancy needlework: 1 Mrs Hopewell, 2 Miss Margaret Meikle, 3 Mrs Jenkins, hc Miss Maude Townsend and Mrs Percy Smith.
Crochet: 1 Miss Fanny Spokes, 2 Mrs Welsh, r Miss Binley, hc Miss Bertha Townsend, Mrs Short, and Mrs F Kay.
Useful garment: 1 Miss M Whiteman, 2 Mrs H Cooke, 3 Miss E Brierly, r A W Townsend, hc Mrs Hefford.
Amateur photography—four snap-shots: 1 Miss Hester Townsend, 2 Miss E Harness, r Miss Maude Townsend.
Short original march, harmonised. not exceeding 24 bars: 1 Miss W Starkey, 2 Miss Goodman, r Miss E Brierly.
FLOWERS AND PRODUCE SECTION
HONEY
Four 1lb sections: 1 Mr F Steele, 2 Miss Jessie Brierly, 3 Mrs R Brown.
Four 1lb bottles 1 Mrs Jessie Brierly, 2 Mr F Houghton. 3 Mr F Steele, 4 Mr W Duffin.
Three shallow frames 1 Mr W Duffin, 2 Miss J Brierly.
Cake of beeswax, not less than 6oz: 1 Mr F Steele, 2 Miss Jessie Brierly, r Mr F Houghton
SECTION A.-COTTAGERS ONLY.
Pot Plants.
Fuchsia (in bloom): 1 J Batchelor, 2 Mrs Hall.
Geranium: 1 J Batchelor, 2 F Cooke.
Plant or plants (in bloom): 1 J Batchelor, 2 Mrs Hall, r Mrs Rainbow
Three pot plants: 1 J Batchelor. 2 F Whiteman.
Hanging plant or basket: 1 J Batchelor, 2 F Whiteman.
Cut Flowers
Dahlias: 1 J Batchelor
Asters: 1 J Batchelor
Stocks: 1 J Batchelor
Sweet peas: 1 J Batchelor, 2 F Cooke, 3 Mrs Dyer
Bunch of hardy flowers: 1 J Batchelor, 2 Mr; W Bailey, 3 Mrs R Brown.
FRUIT
Raspberries: 1 Mrs Rainbow, 2 .J Batchelor, 3 Mrs Burnham
Gooseberries: J Batchelor, 2 C Whiteman, 3 Mrs Dyer.
Red or white currants: 1 C Whiteman, 2 Mrs Daniels, 3 Mrs R Brown.
Blackcurrants: 1 J Kenney, 2 F Whiteman, 3 J Batchelor.
Vegetables
Collection of vegetables: 1 W Farmer, 2 J King.
Three cabbages: 1 F Cooke, 2 W Farmer.
Round Potatoes: 1 D Lobley, 2 H Bird, W Farmer
Kidney Potatoes: 1 W Farmer, 2 D Lobley, 3 J King.
Myatts Ashleaf potatoes: 1 G Wells, 2 W Farmer, 3. J Batchelor
Single root of either Midlothian, Early Eclipse or Sharpe’s Express: 1 W Whiteman, 2 J King, 3 J Batchelor, 4 Geo Wells
Carrots: 1 W Whiteman, 2 J Batchelor, 3 W Farmer
Parsnips: 1 J Batchelor, 2 W Farmer, 3 H Bird
Turnips: 1 W Farmer, 2 J Pincham, 3 F Cooke
Peas: 1 W Farmer, 2 and r J Batchelor, 3 Daniels
Spring onions: 1 J Craxford, 2 J Batchelor, 3 H Bird
Runner beans: 1 W Farmer
Lettuce: 1 G Wells, 2 J Batchelor
Rhubarb: 1 G Wells, 2 J King, 3 A Wells.
Best kept garden attached to cottage: 1 H Bird, 2 T Howard 3 A Wells, r Geo Wells.
Best kept allotment or roadside garden: 1 D Lobley, 2 W Whiteman, equal 3rd Wm Farmer and Geo Hall.
Window display 1 J Batchelor, 2 Mrs F Cooke, 3 Mrs Gurney, r Ed Tew.
For Children under 16. Box of annual and wild plants: 1 W W Wells, 2 F Rainbow.
For children under 14.
Collection of salad: E Pincham.
Wild flowers: 1 V Tallett, 2 F Addison, 3 C Whiteman, 4 E Chambers
Model garden: 1 E Cooke, 2 D Cooke, 3 E Pincham, 4 M Hall
Wild grasses: 1 E Chambers, M Chambers, 3 L Linnage, 4 C Whiteman.
Children under 10: Collection of wild flowers: 1 D Cooke, 2 J Whiteman, 3 L Linnage, 4 E Pincham.
Children under 7.—Collection of wild flowers: 1 W Dyer, 2 D Daniells, 3 H Whiteman, 4 J Linnage.
SECTION B.—AMATEURS & COTTAGERS
Pot Plants.
Fuchsias: 1 Miss S W Townsend, 2 Mr H L Brierly.
Geraniums: 1 Miss S W Townsend, 2 and 3 Mr J Brierly.
Four plants in bloom: 1 Miss S W Townsend, 2 Mr H L Brierly, 3 Mr J Brierly.
Foliage plants: 1 Miss S W Townsend, 2 Mr J Brierly, 3 Mr H L Brierly
Ferns: 1 Mr E Riley, 2 Miss S W Townsend.
Most unique plant: 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Rev G W Jenkins, 3 Mr T J Sharpe.
Cut Flowers.
Dahlias: 1 Mr H L Brierly.
Roses: 1 Miss S W Townsend, 2 Mr J Brierly
Zinnias: 1 J Brierly.
Asters: 1 Mr J Brierly
Geranium heads: 1 Miss S W Townsend, 2 Mr J Brierly.
Hardy flowers: 1 Mr J Brierly.
Fruit
Apples (dessert): 1 Mrs Clarke. 2 Mr J Brierly.
Gooseberries: I Rev G W Jenkins. 2 Mr J Brierly
Red and white currants: 1 TJ Sharp, 2 Mrs Clarke
Black currants: 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr W Farmer.
Strawberries: 1 Mr J Brierly.
Vegetables
Round potatoes: 1 Mr J Brierly
Kidney potatoes: 1 Mr W Farmer, Mr J Brierly
Peas: 1 Mr E Riley. 2 Mr J Brierly, 3 Mr W Farmer.
Cauliflowers: 1 Mr H Bird, 2 Mr W Farmer.
Spring onions: 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Misses Townsend
Winter onions: 1 Mr W Whiteman, 2 Mr J Brierly.
Beetroot: 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Misses Townsend
Carrots: 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Misses Townsend
Parsnips: 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr W Farmer
Turnips: 1 Mr T J Sharp, 2 Mr J Brierly
Lettuce: 1 Mr T J Sharp, 2 Mr J Brierly
Cucumbers 1 Misses Townsend.
Section C.—OPEN.
Sweet peas: 1 Mrs Ashburner. 2 Dr Richardson, 3 Mr J Brierly, r Mr B Hunt.
Begonia Blooms: I Miss S W Townsend, 2 Mr J Brierlv.
Carnations or picotees: 2 Miss E M Lawrence
Table plants: 1 Miss S W Townsend, 2 Mr E Daniels
Two button-holes and sprays: I Miss A W Townsend. 2 Miss F M Bletsoe. 3 Miss S E Kenney.
Collection of roses: I Mr W Bottrill, 2 Mr E Daniels.
Collection of Cut Flowers: Mr E Daniels, Miss S W Townsend, 3 Mr W Bottrill.
Collection of wild flowers: I Lily Batchelor. 2 Mrs Bailey, 3 Annie Prew.
Centre Piece (for ladies only): 1 Miss M P Townsend. 2 Miss Marjory Townsend.
Collection of vegetables grown from from Messrs Yarde and Co’s seeds: I Mr E Daniells, 2 Mr J Brierly. 3 Mr D Lobley
Collection of vegetables (not less than six varieties): open to cottagers of Church Lawford, Kings Newnham. or Bretford (by Mr J H College, Brandon): 1 Mr W Farmer, 2 Mr D Lobley.
Sports for children were arranged on the ground and during the afternoon the Rugby Fire Brigade (under the command of Col Seabroke) and the Victoria Works Brigade (under Engineer Halliday), attended with their engine and appliances and gave an exhibition of dry and wet drills and life-saving demonstration. Mr Geo Franklin, the Warwickshire County Council’s expert, interested a large number with his bee-driving demonstrations and lectures on bee. keeping, and the Rugby Town band played during the afternoon and for dancing in the evening, when the grounds were prettily illuminated.