Mexborough and Swinton Times, September 2nd, 1932
Great Houghton
Bold Effort
Decapturing a Tradition
Record Entry
The Miner and the Farmer
The 11th annual show of the Great Houghton Agricultural Society was held on Saturday in the field adjoining the historic Old Hall, centre of village life for many generations, and the carnival spirit was abroad. Many former villagers made the occasion a homecoming holiday, and an effort was made to revive a picturesque village tradition. The show attracted many outsiders, too and the receipt approached a record. The “gate” yielded at least £5 more than last year’s.
The entries totalled nearly seven hundred and visitors were unanimous in praises of the work of the organisers. To assemble a one-day show of such magnitude in one enclosure and cater for such varied interests, was a big undertaking for a society of modest resources, but a notable standard of success was achieved.
The committee, Messrs. A. V. Tabor (chairman) T. Fawcett, G. Dallymore, J. Potts jun., R. Graveson, J. Gregory, H. Creighton, L. Webb and F. Hattersley worked hard to re-establish the village in its rightful place in the show world. They had a capable and enthusiastic secretary in Mr. E. J. Machin, assisted by Mr. Stockley. The chief steward was Mr. C. W. Sharpe and the president of the show Mr. T. J. Sides (Knottingley).
The committee were bold to persist with the agricultural section in the middle of a bountiful harvest time. The farmers of the district were generous in their support. Some fine animals were shown, particularly in the foal class, with Messrs. Stacey, Clarke, Palmer, Lee and Walker as judges. Men whose life interest are centred in the more extensive cultivation of land and rearing of stock on a large scale rubbed shoulders, gossiped, and vied on the most amiable terms with tugged miners, who came along proudly with specimens from their humble allotments, and picked birds from their little pens.
Of vegetables and flowers there was an unusually choice exhibition. Cactus, dahlias perhaps were outstanding and of good colour considering this has not been a particularly good dahlia year. Asters, too, were good. African marigolds flaunted their own bright colours like harvest moons, and lovely gladioli reared their spikes like ornate soldiers. The latter were of a particularly high order. The vegetables stood well the comparison with specimens at neighbouring shows. The quality was good all round not in patches. Competition in the tray section was exceptionally keen.,
The judges in the horticultural section were Mr. T. Wells (Barnsley), Mr. J. Henderson Mr. T. Wells (Barnsley), Mr. J. Henderson (Frickley Hall), and Mr. W. Bennell (Burntwood Hall); of poultry, Mr. G, Sugden (Warmsworth); of eggs and bread, Mrs. Iredale (Hapswell), formerly of Great Houghton, Mrs. Turnbull (Hooton Pagnell) and Mrs. Turner (Tyas Hill),
The show had its accompaniment of gaiety and music with fairground amusements and young folk of the district making happy holiday in the good old village style. A new feature was a fancy dress competition. About fifty gaily-dressed figures paraded the village behind the Boy Scouts. They were judged by Dr. W. F. L. Castle, and Mrs Castle (Darfield). Viscount Milton was to have opened the show but wired from Ireland regretting his unavoidable absence. The ceremony was performed by Mr. J, H. Potts.
Mr. Tabor said they all regretted Lord Milton’s absence but Mr Potts might fittingly perform that function. He was one of the oldest public men of the district, had worked hard for Great Houghton, and had been a staunch supporter of the society.
Mr. Potts appealed for a revival of “the spirit of the old times.” When he first moved to Great Houghton, thirty or forty years ago, the place was about a third its present size, but even then, they had a successful agricultural show which was the admiration of a wide district. The present committee were making a valiant effort to recapture the old tradition but he was afraid in some ways they were not receiving the support they might reasonably expect. He hoped the hard-working committee would get all the satisfaction they deserved.
THE AWARDS
MEMBERS’ CLASSES
Sweet Peas – 1, E. Creighton, Great Houghton, 2, T Hanson, Great Houghton.
Gladiolas – 1 and 2, J. Wilkinson, Great Houghton.
Gents Buttonhole – 1 and 2 J. Wilkinson.
Ladies’ Spray – 1, T Hanson.
Cut Roses – 1, T. Hanson
Tray of vegetables – 1 and special E, Creighton.
White Kidney Potatoes – 1, T. Hanson, 2, G. Dallymore, Great Houghton.
Coloured Potatoes – 1, T. Hanson, 2, J. Howell, Great Houghton.
White Round Potatoes – 1, T. Hanson, 2, G. Dallymore, Great Houghton.
King Edward Potatoes – 1, G. Howell, 2, E. Creighton.
Potatoes (best in show) – 1, T. Hanson
Cauliflower – 1, G. Lilley, 2, G. Dallymore, Great Houghton.
Broad Beans – 1, G. Howell, 2, L. Webb.
Runner Beans – 1, T. Hanson, 2, G. Lilley.
Dwarf Beans – 1, T. Hanson, 2, G. Howell.
Pod Peas – 1. T. Hanson, 2, E. Creighton.
Globe Beet – 1, J. Wilkinson, 2, L. Webb
Long Beet – 1, Graveson and Potts, Great Houghton. 2, W. Turner.