Our History

On February 27th, 1897 the Parkstone Reminder, a weekly newspaper printed by St Peter's Church featured a leader proposing the setting up of a Gardeners' Association. A week later on March 4th, 1897, at a meeting at Church House, Parkstone (the building that subsequently housed Parkstone Grammar School and then Ashley Cross Girls School) it was proposed by Mr A King and Mr R W Gapper that a Gardening Association be formed. 

It was agreed that it was not necessary for a person to be a Gardener by profession in order to join the Association and that discussion should not be confined to strictly horticultural subjects but that Lantern Lectures could be given, descriptive of other countries. The Association was to be called "Parkstone and District Gardeners' Amateurs and Cottagers Mutual Improvement Association"

Prior to March 4th,1897 the only comparable organisation was the Parkstone Chrysanthemum and Horticultural Society, whose patrons were Lady Wimborne and Lady Elizabeth Dugmore. They met at St. Peters Schoolroom.

The Parkstone Reminder records that in May 1897 a large and enthusiastic audience attended a meeting of the new society to hear a paper on "The Chrysanthemum" and commented: "interest already shown has ensured the success of the Society". 

A letter was received from Bournemouth Gardeners' Association inviting the new society to join them in their annual outing to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. By September 2nd, 1897 the total number of members exceeded 100, but no mention was made of any females attending.

In 1898, 30 members travelled in wagonettes to Crichel, owned by Lord Arlington. They were shown around by the Head Gardener, Mr Isherwood. At the September meeting, First Class Certificates were given to exhibits of Suttons Windsor Castle melon, a bunch of black Hamburg grapes and a collection of Dahlias, whilst a dish of outdoor tomatoes received a certificate of merit.

The presentation was on Hardy Herbaceous Flowers and a letter was read from the Westbourne Association requesting a cricket match between the two Associations. A vote of thanks was expressed to Poole Park Cricket Club for the use of their ground and materials in the recent Gardeners Match.

By 1940, the society was known as Parkstone Gardener's Association. Meetings were held in St Peters Parish Hall, where the main concern was the wartime campaign of "Grow More Food". By 1942, Poole had 50 acres of wartime allotments and 906 individual plots.

By the 1950's, Summer Flower Shows were held in a marquee on Ladies Walking Field in Poole. They then moved the shows to The Methodist Church in Poole High Street for two years and one year at the Parkstone United Reform Church Hall. By the mid 1960's the shows were held at Ashley Cross Girls School, where the monthly meetings were also held. The Spring Show did not start until the past two decades.

The Society now meets at St. Aldhelm's and has celebrated it's Centenary year with record membership and attendance at the Summer Show. The society continues to engage with the local community, raising funds for worthy causes, and welcomes all with a love of gardening. 

Why not join us at one of our monthly meetings at the Branksome St. Aldhelm Centre, Poole Road, Branksome, Poole, BH12 1AD