HISTORY
We have very little information about the history of the Society. It is believed to have been started in the late 1800’s and although it is in its 92nd year of existence, this doesn’t account for the war years when the Society suspended its meetings.
If you, or a member of your family, had an involvement with the Society and you have any photographs, old paperwork or newspaper cuttings, then we would much appreciate a copy that we can put here on the website.
If you have any anecdotes or stories about the Society in the past that you can tell us, this may help us track down further information.
Have you got a box of old ledgers or paperwork for the Society tucked away in your garage or loft? Please let us know and we’ll be only too pleased to add these to our archive. Just email us with your details and we’ll get in touch.
The following pictures were kindly loaned by David Green. The first shows his grandfather Albert (Bertie) Green (born 11 February 1876) with the ‘Rose Bowl Cup’, which he was awarded for winning this class for three years consecutively in 1930, 1931 and 1932. He is pictured at his cottage in Waldegraves Lane.
Because he’d won it for three years, Albert was issued with a smaller replica of the ‘Rose Bowl Cup’ which was his to keep, and which his grandson, David Green, still has.
As well as having ‘Mr. A Green’ engraved on it, it also has ‘Cottage Gardens’ written on it.It is engraved for the three years – 1930, 1931 and 1932.
It also shows that the society was then known as the West Mersea Horticultural Society (WMHS). Does this jog anyone’s memory? Can anyone remember their mother or father talking about the change to MIHS?
Below is an old membership card owned by our Honorary Vice President, Mrs Susan Luckham, dating back to 1975. The membership fees have certainly changed over the years!
