The Rugby Advertiser of 31st July 1909 carried a detailed report of the fourth triennial King’s Newnham and Church Lawford Show. The narrative has been transcribed below.
FLOWER SHOW AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION AT KING’S NEWNHAМ.
The fourth triennia! flower show and industrial exhibition, open to Church Lawford and Kings Newnham, was held at The Hall, by permission of 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, therefore, obtaining-and 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 HL Brierly, the Misses Townsend, Mr H W W Townsend, R.N, 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 HS Dunn, Miss Price, Mr CG 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 doormats 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-winners Messrs F Cooke and J Pincham-would have done credit to many a journeyman. The homemade 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 8 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 Cillings, of Cawston House, the gardens, &e; and Mr A J Lee the pastry, bread, butter, cakes, &c.
The awards were as follows:-
SECTION A -OPEN TO COTTAGERS ONLY Shirt for working-man: 1 Mrs Batchelor, 2 Miss M Whiteman, r Mrs Frankton.-Overall: 1 Mrs Daniells, 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 М 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 Ha!l, 3 Mr< William Farmer, r Mrs il Bird.-Best got-up collars and cuffs: 1 Mrs W Farmer, 2 Mrs G Wells, r Mrs Rainbow.- A knitted article: 1 Mrs J Croxford, 2 Mr Farmer, sen, 3 Miss E Knight, r Miss R Weils.- 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.-Homemade and baked cottage loaf: 1 Mrs Frankton, 2 Mrs Jones, r Miss A Prew.-Plain fruit cake (1-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 Sidnev 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 above 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, he Nelly Batchelor and Florence Smith.
SECTION B.—OPEN TO AMATEURS & COTTAGERS. Bag: 1 Miss A M Crofts, 2 Miss E W Townsend. -Elouse: 1 Miss Jessie Brierly, equal 2 Miss Benn and Miss W W Brierly, r Miss E Brierly.- Knitted article : Equal 1, Mrs Townsend and Miss J Brierly, r Miss Bertha Townsend and Miss L Wyatt.-Pair of d’Oyleys : 1 Mrs Farmer, sen, 2 Miss J W Townsend.-Article made from materials costing not more than 1s: 1 Miss J W Townsend, 2 Miss Bertha Townsend, 3 Miss Alicia Dumbleton, he Mrs Dunn.—Toy : 1 Miss J W Townsend, 2 Miss W W Brierly, 3 Miss E Brierly.-Swiss roll: 1 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 4-lbs, of butter: 1 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 purebred hens or pullets : 1 Mr J C Dunn. 2 Mr HL Brierly, 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, prizes by Rev G W Jenkins: 1 Maude Farmer, 2 Hilda Farmer, 3 Winnie Hancox, he Amy Addison,-Specimens of darning, patch and buttonhole: 2 Gertrude Farmer, 3 Isabella Lobley, r Evelyn Cooke.-Pinafore (untrimmed): 1 Doris Cooke, 2 Gertrude Farmer, 3 Ethe! 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 Band 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, he Miss AM Crofts.- Sponge cake: 1 Miss 8 E Kenney, 2 Miss EM Dunn, r Miss F Freeman.-Home-made sweets: 1 Miss A W Townsend, 2 Miss A M Crofts.- Poem, subject “Woman’s rights” (prizes by Miss E W Townsend): 1 Miss Ethel Smith, 2 Miss Goodman, r Mrs Hefford.-Carving : 1 Miss E Brierly, 2 Miss A M Crofts.-Oil painting : 1 Mrs J Cullen, 2 Mr E H Smith.-Water colour painting: 1 Miss C W Watson, 2 Miss M Townsend, he Miss MC Townsend, he Miss Englefield, r Miss Winifred Starkey.- 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 Mrs 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 Mrs W Benn, 3 Miss J W Townsend.-Article, material not to cost more than 6.d: 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 Shorto, and Mrs F Kay.-Useful garment: 1 Miss M Whiteman, 2 Mrs H Cooke, 3 Miss E Brierly, r Miss A W Townsend, hc Mrs Hefford.-Amateur photography-four snap-shots: I 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. HONEY. Four 1lb sections: 1 Mr F Steele, 2 Miss Jessie Brierly, 3 Mrs R Brown.-Four 1lb bottles: 1 Miss 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 6ozs: 1 Mr F Steele, 2 Miss J Brierly, r Mr F Houghton.
Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Produce
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: 1J Batchelor, 2 Mrs W Bailey, 3 Mrs R Brown.
FRUIT.-Raspberries: 1 Mrs Rainbow, 2 J Batchelor, 3 Mrs Burnham. -Gooseberries: 1 J Batchelor, 2 C Whiteman, 3 Mrs Dyer. -Red or white currants : 1 C Whiteman, 2 Mrs Daniells, 3 Mrs R. Brown. -Black currants: 1 J Kenney, F Whiteman, 3 J Batchelor. 2 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, 3 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 W Daniells.- Spring onions: 1 J Craxford, 2 J Batchelor, 3 H Bird. – Runner beans: 2 W Farmer.-Lettuce: 1 G Wells, 2 J Batchelor.- Rhubarb: 1 G Wells, 2 J King, 3 A Welis. 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: 1 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, 2 M Chambers, 3 L Linnage, 4 C Whiteman. For children under 12.-Box of annual and wild plants: 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 HL 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 8 W Townsend, 2 Mr J Brierly.-Hardy flowers: t 1 Mr J Brierly. Fruit.-Apples (dessert): 1 Mrs Clarke, 2 Mr J Brierly.-Gooseberries, : 1 Rev G W Jenkins, 2 Mr J Brierly.-Red and white currants : 1Mr 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 HL Brierly.-Kidney potatoes: 1 Mr W Farmer, 2 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.–Par-nips: 1 Mr J Brierly, 2 Mr W Farmer. -Turnips : I 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: 1 Miss S W Townsend, 2 Mr J Brierly.- Carnations or picotees : 2 Miss E M Lawrence.– Table plants: 1 Miss S W Townsend, 2 Mr E Daniels.-Two button-holes and sprays: 1 Miss A W Townsend, 2 Miss F M Bletsoe, 3 Miss SE Kenney.-Collection of roses : 1 Mr W Bottrill, 2 Mr E Daniels.-Collection of cut flowers· 1 Mг E Daniels, 2 Miss S W Townsend, 3 Mr W Bottrill.-Collection of wild flowers: 1 Lily Batchelor, 2 Mrs Bailey, 3 Annie Prew. -Centrepiece (for ladies only): 1 Miss M P Townsend, 2 Miss Marjory Townsend.-Collection of vegetables, grown from Messrs Yarde and Co’s seeds : 1 Mr E Daniells, 2 Mr J Brierly, 3 Mr Đ Lobley.- Collection of vegetables (not less than six varieties); open to cottagers of Church Lawford, King’s Newnham, or Bretford (by Mr J H Colledge, 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 bis bee. driving demonstrations and lectures on beekeeping, and the Rugby Town band played during the afternoon and for dancing in the evening, when the grounds were prettily illuminated.