In 2024, Horsley Garden Society concluded it was at least 100 years old and as a result is celebrating its centenary year with two exciting events.
On 5th April we will be holding our Spring Show at East Horsley Village Hall and are thrilled that ‘Gardening Guru’ Bob Flowerdew has agreed to give us a talk entitled “No work Gardening” whilst we enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. Bob, who will be very well-known to listeners of the BBC’s Gardeners Question Time as an amusing and very knowledgeable panellist (especially on the topic of ingenious and sometimes surprising ways to make compost), is one of the founder members of the organic gardening movement. We will also be welcoming the President of the Royal Horticultural Society, Mr Keith Weed, as our honoured guest. Keith has kindly agreed to present the prizes to our Spring Show winners.
On 10th June, again in East Horsley Village Hall, we are excited to announce that the BBC will be recording two episodes of Gardeners Question Time. At the time of going to press we do not know which celebrity panellists will be answering the questions, but it is sure to be a very entertaining evening. This event is open to the public and more information will be posted on our website nearer the time with details of how to apply for tickets.
Horsley Garden Society is a thriving local society with over a hundred members. New members are warmly invited to join us for interesting talks, garden visits, seasonal workshops and opportunities to take part in our friendly Spring and Summer shows if they wish. No gardening experience is required but enthusiasm is welcomed – our motto is Education, Enjoyment and Community!
Whilst we are celebrating our centenary, recent investigation has suggested that the society is much older. The West Horsley Village Hall Horticultural Society, was affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain by July 1924 as the Certificate of Merit, awarded to Miss Flora Smither for her Botanical Specimen, shows.
It was assumed that this was the first show held by the Society, but surprisingly, information has come to light revealing that East and West Horsley and East Clandon Cottage Gardeners Society held its 53rd Annual Horticultural Show at Horsley Towers on 27th July 1916. We therefore could claim to be at least 160 years old and as such the celebrations this year are fully justified!
