In 1993 the idea that the Allotment Association and the Horticultural Society should merge was suggested by Ray Crookes and others, notably the late Bert Gee who was a member of the committee of the Horticultural Society and Secretary of the Allotment and Gardens Association. At the time of the proposed merger, Ray Crookes was Chairman of the Bishop’s Waltham and District Horticultural Society. A relationship between the two groups was already in operation whereby, for a small fee, members of the Horticultural Society could be associate members of the Allotment Association to enable them to use the facilities at the Albany Road allotments shed. The thinking behind the idea of amalgamation was associated with the perceived need to improve recruitment and getting new blood into the Horticultural Society. There were not enough interested people to merit two such similar organisations – adapt or die!
The Bishop’s Waltham Gardening Club as such was formed by the formal merger of the Allotments Association and the Horticultural Society at an extraordinary joint meeting on 11 May 1994 and Bob Hills was elected as the first Chairman. The new organisation was renamed in such a way that it was clearly different from either of its predecessors, and that it had been formed by mutual agreement and amalgamation not take over!
Following amalgamation, the Gardening Club membership increased and the programme and activities became more extensive. This was also due to the decision of some long serving committee members to stand down and this enabled new committee members to serve.
The Annual Dinner became a regular feature, as did entry into the Hampshire Federation of Horticultural Societies Quiz and entry initially to the Chelsea Flower Show and lately to the Hampton Court Flower Show as corporate members of the Royal Horticultural Society.
The Gardening Club has realised ambitious plans to replace the 20+ year old allotment building with a new purpose built building. This development has brought much needed improvements to the facilities available at the allotments. which include:
* toilets;
* a dedicated mower store;
* a new shop;
* the construction of a secure bulk storage area for selling manure;
* a multipurpose space for refreshments and meetings;
No project of this kind comes cheaply and a lot of effort went into raising the £25,000 plus needed for construction.
In December 2006 a long serving member of the Gardening Club, Chris Smith, tragically died of cancer aged only 56. Chris started the whole process of building replacement, but never lived to see his visions realised. The new building is dedicated to his memory and is called the Chris Smith Building. The old building was called the shed and the new building will continue always to be “The Shed”.
The Trustees have provided additional raised beds for disabled people; mini beds for young people and those for whom a traditional 5 or 10 rod plot is too big. The Trustees will arrange other types of plot for specific need should those needs arise.
Our current emphasis is on building up the community aspects of the club in an effort to improve the environment in Bishop’s Waltham which will be under strain from new housing development during the coming years. In 2017 the club converted to an association CIO (Charity Incorporated Organisation) structure. This gives the trustees of the club limited liability status.
A short history of Bishop’s Waltham Gardening Club (updated 2010) has been written which details the emergence of the Club from the Allotments Association and the Horticultural Society.
To download or view the document (opens in a new window) please click here 