Summer Show
More than 150 Years of History
The Early Years
The Portishead Horticultural and Floral Society was started in 1863 by Dr Charles Wigan who was born in Australia but came to live in Portishead when he was seven years old.
In 1863 Portishead was very much a village with the Bristol Channel coming almost to the start of the High Street, close to the Old Mill pub which had previously been a water mill.
The Wigan family owned Clarence House, which had a large garden and employed gardeners. The aim of the show was "to promote industry in general and horticulture in particular and to conduct competitive exhibitions". The society is still going and has held a show every year, with the exception of the war years and 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hilda Taylor, a former general secretary, recalls going to the show in 1919 and seeing roundabouts and side shows, with all the helpers dressed in white (see photo).
Early Twentieth Century Attractions
The show was so popular that in 1920 the committee asked local shops if they would consider changing their half day closing day from the Thursday to the Friday to enable them and their employees to come to the show. The shopkeepers agreed and the council agreed to a change in a local by law changing the trading closing day for the week of the show.
The society has minute books which provide an insight into what entertainment they had at the show in the 1920s and 30s. These included: Madame Zouare, a lady palmist, a six legged puppy exhibit, a phrenologist, a beauty competition for children under 13, a best looking baby, and the most shapely ankle and leg, to be judged by Dr Cresswell. All of which would be totally inappropriate today. For the 1934 show entertainment was in the form of Mr Saxon Brown - a 'Strong Man' who cost £12 down and 25% of the takings - that was a great deal of money at the time.
Modern Times
The Summer Show is a major event in the Portishead calendar and has continued to adapt to reflect changing times. The show's title has varied over the years, more recently known as the Portishead Flower Show and Country Fair. It was re-launched in 2019 as the Portishead Summer Show. The Show is an opportunity for the Portishead community young and old to come together in the summertime to showcase local talent, promote local crafts, makers and small businesses and enjoy arena entertainment.
Visit the Summer Show website for details about the current year's show.
About the Author
Linda Hodgetts is the current secretary of the Portishead and District Horticultural Society, which runs our Summer Show.