History of the two founding societies

The Chesham Horticultural Society was founded in 1913 to look after the concerns of the tenants of the new allotments and other gardeners and to generally promote interest in horticulture. [The allotment land, formerly Taylors Farm, had been bought by the Urban District Council in 1911]. In the early years there were annual exhibitions, such as the one recorded by The Bucks Examiner in 1929, held in the old Drill Hall in Bellingdon Road.  The standard of produce at this Show was said to be very high with a whole array of flowers, fruit and vegetables.  That show included exhibits from the Chesham Beekeepers’ Association with various classes of honey and honey-comb. Active Society members have come from many well-known local families over the years: Baines, Darvell, Hinks and Wright. Arnold Baines was President of the Society for at least 33 years. In latter years an Early Summer Show in July and a Late Summer Show In early September were held in Trinity Baptist Church

The Bellingdon, Asheridge and District Horticultural Society was formed in 1949 to coincide with the new Village Hall and has always been based around the village of Bellingdon. The Society has been meeting regularly and holding successful events and shows from then until the present day and has been a mainstay of village life. Our annual show in particular attracts a high standard of exhibits with an enviable collection of trophies and awards, many are fond memorials to past members and supporters. In 1999 we celebrated our 50^th anniversary with a wonderful Open Gardens day, a Flower Festival and a Grand Dinner and Dance amongst other celebratory events.

We very much hope that the Chesham Vale Gardeners’ Society will continue to thrive and bring together the best of what both Societies stood for.

benefits of joining the society

• Chance to enter the annual society shows.
• Discounts on:
  • Suttons & Dobies
  • Local garden centres; Shepherds Nursery in Chartridge, Hildreths Garden Centre in Prestwood, Peterley Manor Farm in Prestwood and The Plant Specialist in Great Missenden.
  • JPS Stationers in Chesham.
• A Trading Cabin for supplies of:
  • onion and shallot sets
  • seed potatoes
  • fertilisers
  • canes
  • other gardening requisites – all at very favourable prices!
• Annual Plant Sales in May in Chesham Town Centre
• Social Events and Evenings throughout the year including:
  • supper and quiz
  • garden visits