A Short History of Spondon Horticultural Society
The story of the Spondon allotments really begins in 1649 when William Gilbert Esquire, born at Locko Park in the parish of Spondon, did by his last will and testament give and bequeath to the poor of Spondon £1000 to purchase land for the use of the said poor. Much of this land is still in existence today and three parcels of land form the allotments in Spondon that we know today, namely Lousie Greaves, Wastefields and Borrowfields.
The first mention of Spondon Horticultural Society is found in the Derby Mercury newspaper of September 10th 1862 where there is a report of the second Show in connection with the newly formed Spondon Horticultural Society. The classes for the showing were: Gentry, Farmers and Cottagers. One has to wonder how many hours the poor gardeners had to toil to produce perfect crops for their masters to win prizes. Many of the names listed as winning exhibitors are names we will still know and recognise in Spondon today, indeed many of the families have lived in Spondon for generations past.
By the year 1869 the Flower and Vegetable show was being called the “Horticultural Fete” an annual village holiday! The show of vegetables fruit and flowers was held in a spacious tent. The plants and flowers lent by Locko Hall and Spondon Hall were very beautiful. A great number of persons patronised the show from the town of Derby and also the villages around and the quality of the vegetables and flowers shown by the cottagers were “very excellent”.
As well as the horticultural show there were also amusements in the field and races to be entered into and prizes given. By 1873 the people of Derby availed themselves of the train to visit the show and entertainment was provided by singing and playing of the Spondon Brass Band.
Mr Josiah Hackman, a working man of Spondon, would decorate the frontage of his house with great taste and skill just for the entertainment of the visitors. There was also a go this fountain decorated with roses and it was all lit up at night with Chinese lanterns.
In later years the show grew in popularity and the sporting aspect began to take a large part. There were races and even football matches held on show day. In the evening there would be dances to the music of various brass bands as well as some fairground attractions. By all accounts the Flower and Vegetable Show had become a great attraction.
Allotments came into being in 1886. The land where the allotments are now was probably used as small holdings and indeed this has come full circle now as the lower part of the land on Wastefield is now used for this purpose. On the Lousie greaves and Wastefield sites there are a combined total of approximately 150 plots. The allotment land is managed by the ‘Spondon Relief in Need Charity’ and it is to this charity that annual rent is paid. The charity uses this money for good causes.
The ownership of allotments has become very popular in recent years as more and more people recognise the benefits that they provide in terms of mental wellbeing, exercise and the plentiful supply of cheap vegetables.
The Vegetable and Flower Show continues to this day. Although not quite on the grand scale it used to be it is still an event that has managed to survive. When many of the village shows have now gone by the wayside and vanished, the Spondon Horticultural Society and its Flower and Vegetable Show are still going strong and long may it do so.
(Research by Alan Beadsmore and Margaret Goodwater).