Shropshire Star

Horticultural fair cancelled for first time in more than 40 years

A village horticultural show will not be held this year for the first time since 1975.

Published

Church Aston Gardening Club's horticultural show secretary resigned at the annual meeting and no one came forward to take over as secretary, so the club has announced that it will no longer be holding a show in the village.

Church Aston Gardening Club was formed in 1974 and the show, which first began in 1975, was held in different areas in the village, between the village hall, the field at the back of the village shop, Newport Girls' High School and the Church Aston playing field.

The last show to be held outside was in 1991 and in 1992, it returned to the village hall, which had been its first site, where it has stayed since then.

After the formation of the Church Aston Wine Club in 1981, it was decided to include wines and beer in future shows.

The show has grown considerably over the years with more classes, trophies, cups and shields being added.

Some of the most consistent prolific winners over those years were Eileen Rust and Jean Madeley.

Secretary Sylvia Stening said: "Thank you and goodbye to everybody who has supported us over the years especially the businesses in Newport with their sponsorship."