The morning of Saturday 22nd July dawned bright and clear, but as the morning progressed, dark clouds threatened and, an hour before the Flower Show was due to start, the heavens opened. By the time the 115th Show opened at 1 pm the rain had stopped and people were able to enjoy the exhibits for an hour or two before the rain began again. As well as The Badsey Society stand, this included a display of gravity-defying BMX riding, the Spa Strummers Ukulele Group and St Andrew’s Pipe Band.
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We welcomed a good number of visitors to The Badsey Society stand. This included members of the Badsey family of Badsey: Professor Stephen Badsey and Dr Phylomena Badsey from The University of Wolverhampton (albeit their ancestors left Badsey over 300 years ago!), who both kindly donated raffle prizes.
There were display boards on the wildlife of Badsey and on house histories. Much interest was shown in the photo surveys of the village which are now available for the first time on the web. A mobile phone was used to give visitors to the stand a taste of what is now available on the Badsey website.
Next to The Badsey Society stand was a replica WW1 Bell tent. This was provided courtesy of “Worcestershire World War One Hundred”, an HLF-funded project which is commemorating each year of the Great War. David Jarratt of Worcester Museums Service brought along a number of WW1 objects which were on display.
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A replica actual-size “Dead Man’s Penny” (pictured right) is held by ten-year-old Henry. This was issued after the First World War to the next-of-kin of all British and Empire service personnel who were killed as a result of the war.
Our MP bravely accepted the invitation to take part in “Soak a Bloke”, organized by the Scouts. Wendy Beasley took great delight in throwing a soak-filled sponge at Nigel who took it all in good spirit, having had a dousing from Wendy in a previous year.
Sadly, by mid afternoon, the rain had set in, so we began packing up early. The Dallimore brothers who, as ever, did sterling work in setting up and taking down the gazebo and stands, are seen above right with Ron and Jennifer Jones. There was then time to go across to the main marquee for the prize-giving where, once again, a number of Badsey Society members were cup-winners.
