Fulham Horticultural Society Set to Celebrate its Centenary
A bumper community gardening show is planned
Left to right: FHS show secretary Charles Dowson, member Nicole Coleman, member Rose Craston and FHS chair Eddie Robinson
August 6, 2024
In 1924, a group of green-fingered local people got together to host the first ever show by the Fulham Horticultural Society (FHS).
One hundred years later, the thriving society is determined to share the health and community benefits of gardening with new generations.
The FHS centenary show is taking place on Saturday 7 September, with all welcome to celebrate the milestone anniversary.
It will be held at St Etheldreda’s Church, 528 Fulham Palace Road, from 2.30pm-4.30pm. It provides a chance for amateur gardeners of all abilities, from complete beginners to seasoned veterans, to be part of a friendly, community event.
Floral bouquets, colourful fruit and vegetables, and garden-inspired arts and crafts are among the displays that will showcase local gardeners’ prowess at the show.
“Gardening is absolutely vital,” explains Eddie Robinson, the chair of Fulham Horticultural Society.
“When people have very stressful jobs and lives, we have to translate today’s problems to similar problems in the past. Gardening is a lifeblood in that sense.”
Eddie explains that the genesis of the community began at the Fulham Palace Meadows Allotments Association's site, in Bishop’s Avenue.
Gifted to local gardeners by the Bishop of London in 1916, the 15-acre allotments remain an important green space for the area, as they were during both World Wars.
“The concept of allotments really took off during the First World War when there was a shortage of production, and it has just kept going,” points out Eddie, 73, a former construction engineer on civil engineering projects who moved to London from rural Yorkshire and was determined to find a slice of the good life to help counteract his busy lifestyle.
Taking on an allotment in 2001 led to involvement in FHS, and he took over the role of chair in 2007.
FHS creates “a real sense of community because people are here for each other if they need help or advice”, added honorary secretary Nicole Coleman.
“It’s also a very international community so we’ll have people coming to the show with vegetables we’ve never seen before,” she adds.
L-R: FHS chair Eddie Robinson, show secretary Charles Dowson, members Rose Craston and Nicole Coleman
While the show’s offerings have become increasingly global – with homegrown vegetables hailing from an array of countries including Iraq, India and Italy – historical documents prove the FHS has always had many interesting entries.
A printed programme dating back to 1969 publicises the society’s Chrysanthemum, Horticultural and Hamster Show on 13 September at Fulham Old Town Hall, with class entry costing a shilling.
Just a few years later, the 1975 programme shares details of four shows – in April, June, August and September – as well as separate competitions dedicated to gardens and allotments.
Affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and the National Vegetable Society, FHS gives green-fingered residents the opportunity to show off the fruits of their labours.
“People nowadays love to grow and enjoy what they have,” adds Eddie. “We just keep running the show in the hope there will be a new groundswell of people coming forward.”
With sharing knowledge a priority for the society, which hosted BBC Radio 4 show Gardeners’ Question Time for a recording aired in April, its regular monthly hints and tips are a key way of connecting with members through the year.
The group is also taking part of the annual Chillifest event at Fulham Palace on Sunday 8 September from 11am to 3pm with live music, stalls and a chilli eating competition. A salsa workshop will be a chance to groove to the Latin jazz-inspired sounds of local music collective Banda Bomba, before checking out the produce on display from FHS and the allotments association.
“The FHS annual show and Chillifest event taking place over the first weekend in September are a fantastic celebration of our 100th anniversary,” highlights Eddie.
“We’d love to welcome people from across the borough and beyond to take part in showing, or simply to come along and enjoy themselves at these free community events. It will be a weekend to remember.”
For more details about the Fulham Horticultural Society visit the Fulham Horticultural Society website or call 07771 547 193.
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