Welcome to the Lowdham Horticultural Society!

Lowdham is a village 8 miles north-east of Nottingham with a population of about 1600, in an area with a long horticultural history: the Bramley apple was raised 6 miles distant, the apple fell on Newton's head 15 miles away!

The village amenities host a very active social calendar for the residents, who in turn give a very warm welcome to members and participants from further afield. These activities include a Cricket Club, Youth Football and Netball Teams, a Book Festival and, of course, the Horticultural Society

The Society was founded in 1893 and comprises a very active group of members covering all age ranges (including Juniors), whose interests span horticulture, handicrafts, cookery and photography.

We stage three shows a year: the Spring Show for daffodils, tulips, spring flowers and plants; an Annual Show on August Bank Holiday, including comprehensive displays of vegetables, fruit, flowers, produce, handicrafts, photography and flower arranging; an Apple Day in late Autumn presenting large collections of apples and other fruit along with apple tasting, home made jams and so on.

We take advantage of the long summer evenings to arrange visits to gardens and other places of interest. There is a Winter Programme of presentations and talks to broaden our interest and remind us of summer.

We are Affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society. Our subscription fees are low, with significant benefits including a discounted seed scheme and subsidised trips.

Dates for your diary

Apple Day - Sunday October 26th 2008, 11:30am to 4:00pm
Winter Programme of Talks & Presentations - November 7th, December 5th, January 8th, February 27th, March 13th
Spring Show - April 4th 2009
Summer Visits 2009 - June & July
Annual Show - Monday August 31st 2009

Annual Show - August 25th 2008

Following our very successful Spring Show the Annual Show was held in warm, sunny weather and attracted a record number of visitors.

The marquee was filled with one of the highest number of entries from 110 entrants split 50/50 between Lowdham entrants and those from the surrounding (and wider) areas - the Produce Classes were so popular that the Stewards were kept busy creating more space to accommodate the entries!

We were delighted to see a significant increase in the number of Junior Entrants where Ellie Mason-Smith won the Lowdham Horticultural Society plate for the 'Best in Show' Junior Exhibit.

In the Senior Categories Mr J D Linley won both the Banksian Medal (awarded to the competitor scoring the highest number of points overall) and the Nottingham Evening News Challenge Cup. There was keen competition for the many other cups and trophies awarded.

The Flower Arranging entries entertained us with stunning displays and there was a great deal of interest and fascination in the Photographic and Handicraft Sections.

Our visitors took advantage of the good weather to view the stalls, events and displays culminating in an exhibition of breathtaking gymnastics from the Flying Angels.

If you attended and have any comments please let us know.

Apple Day - October 26th 2008 11:30am to 4:00pm

We held our first Apple Day last year and were so encouraged by the response that we are holding our next event at the end of October.

In 2007 our 'Gardener's Pantry' range of jams and chutneys produced by the Society - 28 varieties of fruit jams (including Fig and Apple, Morello Cherry, Peach and Raspberry) and Courgette Chutney - were much in demand. At the moment we are busy preparing this year's range of produce of similar diversity for sale at the show.

The centrepiece of the show will, as last year, be the display of over 100 varieties of apples. You will be able to compare the taste of apples such as Winter Gem, Crowngold, Fiesta, Spartan, Ingrid Marie etc and when you have found one to your liking buy a pound or two.

In addition other fruit will be on display together with exhibits of vegetables - we are planning to include some varieties grown in Victorian Times.

If you do not know the variety of apple growing in your garden bring a couple along with you, our Apple Identification and Advice Panel will help with identification.

There will be a range of associated craft and produce stalls and refreshments will be available throughout (including pork and apple cobs).

The surplus produce will be auctioned at the end of the show.

Hope to see you there.

Location

Our events are held in the Village Hall and, for the Annual Show, in a marquee erected at the side of the Village Hall. The Village hall is in the centre of the village opposite The Old Ship public house.

The centre of the village is to the north of the traffic island where the A6097 and the A612 meet. The area's post code is NG14 7BD. Click here to view the location in Google Maps.

Contact