The SPETCHLEY AND DISTRICT GARDENERS’ SOCIETY

Regular visitors to the gardens at Spetchley will have been following with interest the restoration of Miss Juliet Berkeley’s personal garden there. Occupying around one quarter of the walled garden it was her private space in which to grow cut flowers to feed her passion for flower arranging. She applied her love of plants and flowers to inspire others by founding the Spetchley and District Horticultural Society. Encouraged by her father, Captain Berkeley, she called the first committee meeting of the fledging society in September 1959 and the Society launched in 1960 with a Spring bulb and flower show. This was followed in the summer by a flower and produce show, an ambitious beginning for a start-up society. An annual subscription of 5/- shillings was set and over 40 members joined within a few months. Funds were raised by holding regular whist drives and an annual Christmas dance. The format of monthly meetings with Spring and Summer shows has survived to the present day, the Society now being known as the Spetchley and District Gardeners’ Society. Miss Berkeley remained an active member all her life and attended her final summer Flower and Produce Show just a few days before she died.

Monthly meetings continued to be held at the School House long after it ceased to function as a school. Some hold fond memories of meetings there while others were relieved when the transfer was made to the converted Cart Sheds (now the Learning and Heritage Centres) across the road. Due to rising damp some areas of the floor had to be avoided while speakers were occasionally stopped in their tracks by a sound like a rifle shot as a member, unwisely leaning back in one of the plastic chairs, sank backwards to the floor with their legs in the air. The toilets were Dickensian. A speaker requesting a visit to the toilets had to be escorted by a member with a torch, preceded by someone with secateurs to clear away the brambles.

The Cart Sheds represented another world and the move from the old school house underscored the historic connection with Spetchley. A pleasing ambience, comfortable seating, built-in digital projector and well-equipped kitchen, not to mention on-site parking, proved popular with both members and speakers.

In its seventy fifth year the Society is financially sound with a loyal membership and a busy programme of monthly events, including talks, demonstrations, garden visits, Christmas socials and, of course, Miss Berkeley’s shows. She would be pleased to know that her legacy is being preserved.

davidpollitt931@outlook.com