The roots of our Gardening Club can be traced back to the first ever Village Flower Show which was held in September 1885. It was held in a tent pitched on what was the quoit ground at the back of the Institute, the house now called ‘The Old Rectory,’ so it must have been on land which is now the children’s playground. It was organised by managers of the Horringer and Ickworth Village Club and Institute or what is now known as Horringer Sports and Social Club.
The Rector, Rev. J. Giddens, acted as secretary and Lord Bristol donated a sum of money to help with prizes and expenses.
Now, some 138 years on the Annual Flower Show is a main event of our year. The show schedule has around 50 classes covering fruit, vegetables and flowers together with sections on floral art, crafts, cookery and photography. There are several silver trophies to be won.
Today the Club has around 95 members all of whom enjoy gardening, fresh air and fun. A number of speaker meetings are held during the year normally on the second Monday of the month on a range of topics of interest to gardeners and ‘outdoor’ people. In summer, visits are organised to gardens of interest in the locality and beyond.
Our Annual General Meeting is held in January, February or March. Annual subscription to the Club costs £8 due at the beginning of the year. Entrance fees for the meetings together with the raffle profits goes towards the cost of our monthly speaker evenings.
New members are always welcome. You don't have to be an avid or knowledgeable gardener, just someone interested in a wide range of gardening and allied topics, although you need not be a member to come to our meetings or exhibit at the Flower Show.
Look out for details of these in the Horringer Diary, our website (www.horringer-gardening-club.co.uk) or on village notice boards. If you would like to join (application forms on website) or require further information please contact any of the committee below.
The admission charge is normally £2.00 for members and £4.00 for Guests. Refreshments are available by way of donations. In addition, there is a monthly raffle and on occasions the opportunity to buy plants and produce.
ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ALL, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER BUT DIFFERENT CHARGES APPLY AT ENTRY TO THE MONTHLY MEETINGS
The Community Centre is situated on the A143 from Bury St Edmunds along a small road on the north side of the village green. It is signposted off the main road. The post code of the community Centre is IP29 5RU. There is ample car parking at the front of the Centre.There is ample car parking at the front of the Centre.
