Long-running annual show in Spilsby bows out at 70

Pictured at last year's 70th Sleaford and District Chrysanthemum Show, (from left) Mary Snowden - treasurer, Margaret Simpson - secretary, John Simpson - chairman, Annette Sharp - president.

The Spilsby and District Chrysanthemum Society, which each year stages a show in the town, has announced its closure.

It means last year’s 70th anniversary show will be the final one held. That show featured more than 230 exhibits, ranging from floral art, pot plants and fruit, to home baking, arts and craft, and vegetables (including a 54.6kg marrow).

The society was founded by the late Jack Small, who, together with a few friends, raised the money needed to set it up – fittingly, Jack’s daughter, Sue Oliver, presented the trophies at the event last year.

Pictured at the Sleaford and District Chrysanthemum Society's 70th anniversary show last year (from left) Mary Snowden - treasurer, Margaret Simpson - secretary, John Simpson - chairman, and Annette Sharp - president.

“The show became a prestigious event in the Spilsby calendar and exhibitors came from a wide area to show their exhibits,” said Margaret Simpson, who has held the post of secretary for more than 30 years.

Margaret said there had been ‘plenty of fun over the years’, one being a large pumpkin finding its way to Salmonby, eight miles away, in the show’s rubbish where it rolled down and blocked a dyke; another being that after a winning sponge cake went missing from the show bench, a six-inch nail was used to secure the exhibitor’s entry for the following year.

She said the closure came as a result of insufficient helpers for the running of the show and a decline in new exhibitors in the chrysanthemum classes, particularly the novice section for up-and-coming growers.

“Unfortunately, it is a dying art and many other societies have closed in recent years,” Margaret said. “I feel it is a great pity for Spilsby and although people have written to express their sadness at its closure, no one came forward to undertake any of the work.

“The previous three years had made a financial loss therefore the committee decided it would be better to finish on the 70th anniversary year. The show did need the public to come in and it looks as if the Covid pandemic would have stopped it anyway for 2020, so it’s an ill wind.”

The present committee members now have the unenviable task of disposing of the assets of the society.

Margaret has written to many of the relatives of trophies given for presentation, but there may be others who wish to let her know they are a descendant and would like the item to keep.

She would like to be contacted, in writing, at 37 Horbling Lane, Stickney, Boston, Lincs PE22 8DG by November 20, after which the disposal of the items will take place.