Gardening Club

Now called Wickhambrook & District Gardening Club, the Wickhambrook Horticultural Society was formed in 1889 and is one of the oldest Societies in Wickhambrook.

During the summer months, we organise evening visits to local notable gardens, and have an annual coach visit to more distant locations.

We hold many events throughout the year including the Wickhambrook Flower Show.

FLOWER SHOW SCHEDULES NOW AVAILABLE
You can download your free 2026 Flower Show Schedule – you can also obtain free copies from the Shop, or by contacting our Chaiman

Free copies can also be obtained from the Shop or by contacting our Chairman.

New Members are VERY WELCOME

The Wickhambrook & District Garden Club is a thriving and vibrant Society. We hold regular monthly meetings with interesting speakers covering a wide spectrum of garden related subjects.

We have an Annual Summer Show, which is held at the beginning of July each year. The show includes classes for cookery, flower arranging and handicrafts as well as the usual horticultural classes. So there is something for everyone – including children.

Over its long history twenty five fine Cups and Trophies have been presented to the Society to be used as awards for the winners of the various classes at the Show.

If you are interested in joining our Club then please just come along to one of our meetings where you will be made most welcome.

Notices advertising speakers, etc. are displayed at various points in the village and on the hall noticeboard. Our talks usually last for about an hour and then we have a chat with other members whilst enjoying tea/coffee and biscuits. The talks cover a range of different aspects of gardening and our programme is planned to provide something of interest to each and everyone of us.

We have three Committee meetings during the year plus one ‘ladies meeting’ where we decide on the items for the Flower Show Schedule.

The Committee, which is elected at our AGM in November, is responsible for arranging meetings, outings and social events which are planned to be as varied and enjoyable as possible.

President – Joyce Draycott
Chairman – Glen Puxley-Pituch
Vice Chairman – Polly Puxley-Pituch

Treasurer – Deirdre Smith
Programme Secretary – Matthew Lawfield
Show Secretary – Polly Puxley-Pituch

Our Annual Membership is £15, with meetings costing £3.50 for non-members. New members are very welcome.

Subscriptions are payable to the Treasurer each January.

A Short History of Wickhambrook & District Garden Club

Founded as a colt show, but as the years went on the flower show took over.

Shows were held initially in meadows by the church and at Giffords Hall where tents were put up to afford shelter. When the recreation ground was ready the shows were held in Marquees there. Today our summer shows are held in the Memorial Social Centre.

The Victory show after the war was held at Denston Hall and in aid of the Red Cross, the Society was at that time known as the Wickhambrook, Denston and Stradishall Horticultural and Poultry Society and the show included a children’s pet corner, a pony gymkhana, poultry and rabbit shows, a baby show and a fun fair. There were also sports to compete in and much else to see and do. Now we have the carnival and various other events on Flower Show Day.

Our Centenary year, 1989, was a special one and saw many different events taking place, the highlight being when the Society played host to BBC Radios Gardeners Question Time, an excellent evening when we were joined by members of many other local societies. That year also the quest speaker at our annual dinner was Adam Pascoe, the then editor of Garden News. Then to crown our year our carnival float entitled Centenary 1889 – 1989, and complete with a model cake with 100 candles won the carnival cup.

The Society was also instrumental in planting a tree on the recreation ground in memory of Alf Hicks who was for many years committee member and Secretary and worked to hard for the Flower Show.

The Horticultural Society (oh alright, the Gardening Club) has some excellent speakers to interest and inform us of the many facets of gardening. Please come and join us.