Originally called the Bewley Down Flower, Vegetable and Dairy Show, it was held in a large marquee on a field in Bewley Down just south of the Somerset border. World War One intervened a few weeks later postponing the second show until 1919. The local ‘show area’ was initially restricted to those who lived, were employed or owned land in Bewley Down (which straddles Wambrook, Chardstock and Membury), but grew over the years to include 11 parishes: Wambrook, Chardstock, Membury, Yarcombe, Stockland, Whitestaunton, Combe St Nicholas, All Saints, Churchill, Chard Borough and Chard Parish and boasted that it was the “best flower show between Taunton and Exeter.”
In 1944, the decision was taken to hold a flower show and fete in aid of the Red Cross at The Berea in Wambrook and call it Wambrook Flower Show. This show went back to its roots and, as it was organised on a much smaller scale, the ‘local show area’ was once again restricted to Wambrook and Bewley Down. Many of the same people were involved in its organisation as officers, committee members, judges and businesses e.g. Jarman & Co., Chard seed merchants and nurserymen, which donated a large not-for-competition display of flowers and vegetables to be auctioned off at the show’s conclusion. Since 1944, the show has continued, unabated, until the present day and is currently held at the Cotley Tithe Barn, Cotley, Wambrook.”
© Andrew Hobbs Photography
