History Page
Strathearn Horticultural Society
It was established by a group of like-minded locals back in 1862 with the first show taking place in the Mason';s Hall (the former site of Crieff Library) on September 10, 1863. The entrance fee to the show was one shilling.
Following the Society's constitution, a host of estate owners and businessmen came forward to offer cash prizes and medals for the various classes and over 140 prizes were soon up for grabs.
James Keay was first president of the Society and was in the chair for the setting up of the rules and regulations but by the time of the first show James MacRosty was presiding over the Society's affairs and went on to do so until 1871.
The Society's honorary president is currently Lady Willoughby D'Eresby whose forebears have had associations with the show since its inception.
Venues for the show over the years have included the Drill Hall, Community Hall, Porteous Hall (now Academy Hall) and St Andrew's Hall.
In the early days the show was divided into classes for professional gardeners and amateurs and the Society was called the Upper Strathearn Horticultural Society. It didn't change its name until 1900 when its constitution changed to have the objectives of "the promotion of horticulture in all its branches ... for persons resident in the county of Perth".
Shows were a very social affair and used to run late into the evenings with teas and entertainment provided, and often a dance afterwards.
The Strathearn Horticultural Show was the place to be seen if you were one of the landed gentry of the district. It was a huge event in the area's social calendar and even during backward seasons there were upwards of 300 entries as local gardeners, nurserymen and estates vied with each other to produce the best exhibits.
The first show was reported as one of the highest quality "worthy of the Capital of Strathearn , and deserving the patronage of the nobility and gentry of the surrounding country". The show went from strength to strength and by 1909, the Society had to erect an extra marquee to house all the exhibits.
The 1909 event was held in the Porteous Hall and was said to be "the largest and finest ever held under the auspices of the Society". The hall was overrun with exhibits and the additional marquee that had to be erected on the south side of the hall was also overflowing. The exhibits showed a large increase over those of previous years, with well over 100 more on display.
Some years saw the show being held on a Wednesday to coincide with the half holiday. This meant a greater number of people could attend and it also enabled competitors from a distance to get home on a weekday instead of Sunday mornings. Competitors arriving by train were also afforded extra time to set up their displays.
In 1924, Strathearn Horticultural Society became affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society. And during the 1920s regular lectures and discussions on horticultural subjects were hosted by SHS in the Strathearn Institute.
Only war has prevented the show going ahead. In 1914 it was "declared off, owing to the Great War" which had begun in August. The committee unanimously agreed to make a donation of £10 to the Prince of Wales Fund. Crieff did not see another show until 1919.
Likewise, WWII saw a halting of horticultural activities. The show of 1939 was described in the minutes as a "very trying one". News of the outbreak of war with the Germans had just broken two days before, and the show coincided with the first consignment of evacuees arriving in Crieff and the territorials being called up. The show was abandoned for the next six years.
Post-war years were golden ones for the Society, however.
1954's exhibition, held in the Porteous Hall, was said to be a magnificent affair and the show was again establishing itself as one of the best in the country.
And in 1957, despite a surprising absence of sweet peas, there were more than 300 vases on display.
Ten years later children were welcomed as members of the Society and were given their own section in the show.
The quantity of exhibits may not be as large nowadays but the quality is still there and the show is a colourful testament to the area's horticultural roots.
President Kathryn Buchanan is the Society's first lady president. She is also one of its longest serving presidents having been in the chair for 28 years. She said: "In its heyday the show was a really big event. The main exhibitors were the gardeners from the surrounding estates, who would all get together and hold a dance at night. It was really the gardeners' night out.
"The show has changed a lot over the years. When we moved from the Porteous Hall, when Morrison's Academy took it over, we had to cut many of the classes, mainly due to the smaller space.
"However the quality of the exhibits, especially the pot plants and vegetables, has continued to be of a very high standard. People come from far and wide to show their produce and flowers - and we are still the only open show locally.
"I have a very good committee who I can't praise enough. The majority of which have been involved with the Society for many years.
"It would be great if we could encourage some new younger enthusiasts to become members and keep the show thriving for another 150 years"