Clutton Flower Show Diary by Eric Brain
These dates etc are authentic diary entries from the years given,
Although I cannot find the original references, with the advent of the railway in late 1800s, Clutton Flower Show became a popular excursion venue for intrepid Bristolians. The early shows were held therefore near the Station, in the sloping paddock which is now occupied by Carlton Close and with the permission of farmer Maggs of Churchlands Farm.Somewhere I have read a graphic description of the funfair traction engine getting stuck and extricated with great difficulty , watched by a large group of villagers…. Incidentally “Tiledown” at that time was in Clutton Parish until the boundary changes of the 1950s.
1914
Weds August 5th was a wet morning for the show held at Tiledown. Sports, school relay races, pony races etc but the proposed military display was off. War was declared that day! Molly Rees -Mogg and Hippisley from Cameley were present, firework display in evening.
1915 -1919
No show because of the war.
1920
Wednesday 4th August. A wet show day. There was a grandstand and sports. Sam, Dool and Reggie Davy were there plus Ada Scobell and Miss Oake. Sideshows, roundabouts etc.
1921
Wednesday August 3rd. There was a flower show in the field behind Warwick – Great West. Rained early but fine later. Coconut shies, roundabouts etc. Sports lasted until 6 with a tea interval.
1922
Brief mention of sports and dancing at Flower Show in Great West but it was a wet windy day.
Known history since 1928
1928
This was the Clutton Band Flower Show. It appears that the Clutton Band tried to revive the Flower Show; they had held a Fete & Sports Day on this date for a few years since the demise of the Flower Show of the early twenties in the field behind the present Football. Ground. It was held on a dull day in Cecil Tucker’s field opposite where Edmund Brueggar lives now.
1929
Monday 31/7/29
Committee meeting of the “old” Flower Show was held at the Warwick Arms with 8 persons present who voted £8 of the remaining bank balance into the funds of the "new" Flower Show and the remaining £16 divided equally between Paulton Hospital and the BRI. (I suspect this “old show” was the earlier show, the Band would probably have kept their own funds separate).
Tuesday 08/08/29
Flower Show Day was a fine bright day.
Held in Alf Maggs field next to his farm in Venus lane (where Carlton Close is now).
1930
Wednesday 06/08/30
The show field was Cecil Tucker's large field in Stowey Road just past Elfords house where the cricket field is and next to it. The amusements arrived pulled by traction engines and a lot of villagers turned out to watch.
1930
Thursday 07/08/30
The Show day was a fine day with showers.
The entries were good and there was a good crowd but the proposed children's sports were cancelled due to lack of support.
1931
Wednesday 05/08/31
Dull and close but dry.
The show was in Cecil Tuckers field in Stowey Road with plenty of exhibits, and a large fairground with roundabouts, chairoplanes etc. The sports were feeble and not well supported. At this and other shows there were always a good number of inmates of Clutton Union (Cambrook House) present.
1932
03/08/32
A fine but breezy day.
There was a good crowd and a good entry of exhibits recorded and a funfair with roundabouts. Its venue is unrecorded but there were many “London Children” present as in subsequent years. They arrived at Clutton Station in late July in batches of twenty or more and were billetted with hostesses in the village. Their lodging was paid for by a charity aimed at giving children from London a taste of country life as a holiday and paid for by the Children’s Country Holiday Fund (CCHF).
1933
Nothing recorded, that does not necessarily mean there was no show however.
1934
Wednesday 08/08/34
A fine dry day
Show was in Cecil Tucker’s home field in Stowey Road
1935
Wednesday 07/08/35
A bright and hot day.
Dignitaries were Fletcher and Beatrice Rees-Mogg, Miss Molly Rees-Mogg, Captain W. Scobell, Mr & Mrs Hippisley–Cox. Lady Frances, Countess of Warwick opened the show introduced by F. Rees- Mogg and thanked by Gladys Mansfield. A Bouquet was presented by William Rees-Mogg. A good and well attended show. Clutton Band played all day and there was a skittle alley.
1936
Wednesday 05/08/36
Bright, breezy, drizzling rain late afternoon
Showfield in Stowey Road. Dignitaries included Fletcher & Beatrice Rees-Mogg, Miss Molly Rees-Mogg, Mr & Mrs Hippisley-Cox, Dr & Mrs Vaughan, and Miss Wills of Keynsham who opened the show on behalf of Francess, Countess of Warwick who could not attend due to lumbago. A very good and well attended show.
1937
Wednesday 04/08/37
A warm day.
The show was in Cecil Tucker's field again in Stowey Road. Arthur Church was Show Hon. Secretary. A party of dignitaries were invited including Lady Frances, Countess of Warwick who opened the Show at 3-15pm. Her 'party' included Fletcher and Beatrice Rees-Mogg, Miss Molly Rees-Mogg, Lady Sysonby, Captain and Mrs Eschelby, and Lord Strachey
1938
Wednesday 03/08/38
A fine, warm day.
Cecil Tucker's field in Stowey Road. The show was opened by Mrs Cook-Hurle and in her party were Fletcher and Beatrice Rees-Mogg, Captain Scobell, Mrs Hippisley, Lord Strachey, Sir G. & Lady Hippisley-Cox and Capt and Mrs Eschelby.
1939
Wednesday 09/08/39
Dull mild but showery
Despite war being imminent, the show was held and was well supported. The list of dignitaries had grown to twenty and included Fletcher & Beatrice Rees-Mogg, Captain &Mrs Eschelby, Col. Kettlewell and wife, Sir HG and Lady Hippisley-Cox, Dr & Mrs Brew, Mr & Mrs K Machonochie, Lord Strachey, Mrs Hippisley, Miss M. Rees-Mogg, Captain Scobell, and Miss Wills who opened the Show.
1940
No Show recorded due to war.