To promote horticulture as a creative, educational, and artistic pastime and as a recreational past-time for those interested in gardens and plants.
The Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month excluding December and January at St Mags Church Hall, Torquay TQ1 4BX at 7pm for 7:30pm
Torquay and District Gardening Club formerly known as Torquay and District Horticultural Society was originally known as Torquay and District Gardeners' Association. We are RHS affiliated.
1892 Founded to bring together the gardeners of the large houses and villas in Torquay to share experience and knowledge. The President was W. Lavers, men only association. The first ever talk was ‘Gardens, Glasshouses and Flowers especially Orchids’.
Aims – to promote horticulture as a creative, educational and artistic pastime and to make that knowledge available to as many people as possible.
To endeavour at all times to hold and sponsor, to a very high artistic and educational standard, Flower Shows, Meetings and Garden Visits and any event to promote the Society’s aims.
Meetings fortnightly at Abbey Road Lecture Hall from September to March
1895 and the Great Autumn Show was inaugurated and held annually.
1920’s Name changed to Torquay District Horticulture Society. Membership opened up to anyone with an interest in Gardening, activities were Autumn and Winter lectures with competitions for best produce and flowers. Spring and Autumn shows and outings for members.
No programmes available from 1913 (World War 1, 1913 -1918) to 1938.
1936 First written record of meetings and committee meetings.
1939 poor attendance at Spring Show, due to the outbreak of war, meetings suspended, Autumn Show cancelled.
Programmes from 1938 to 1940 (World War2, 1939 -1945)
1940 meetings reinstated but problems getting speakers. Flower beds replaced with vegetables.
1940 September meetings suspended, constant black-outs and many members called up to Service.
1945 Society activities recommence with enthusiasm.
1946 Lots of talent locally and availability of speakers. The shows were high class at the Town Hall, many stalls from far and wide. The Mayor always opened the show with many entries in the classes. 2 flower shows staged in Marquees on Torre Abbey Lawns lost money and were not repeated.
1953 Ginkgo Tree was planted in Holy Trinity Church in commemoration of Elizabeth II coronation. (18 ft high cost £5.5s.0d)
1958 The Spring Show was abandoned due to lack of support.
1967 75th Anniversary - various trees planted around the Bay.
1968 The Society chartered a 400 seat train to Chelsea, all seats taken.
1969 September Show was introduced. 120 dahlia plants donated for Council gardens by newly opened Torre Abbey Palm House. Average 70 attended meetings.
1984 Great Autumn Show, - Don Cockman was Deputy Chair. Cecil Heard had given 33 years of service.
1991 83rd Great Autumn Show abandoned due to declining support and rising costs.
1992 Society Centenary - Society Logo in Torre Abbey Gardens in bedding plants. Plants donated for Rock Walk, 100 trees donated by a member of the Society for planting by the Council. Celebration evening at Club meeting place, Pengelly Hall. Seat presented to Parks and Gardens for Torre Abbey. BBC Gardeners’ Question Time hosted by Society in Pengelly Hall for broadcasting.
1997 Subs go up to £8.50p.
1998 September Show abandoned.
2004 RHS affiliation –RHS Lecture - RHS Roadshow at Palace Hotel. Membership fallen to 30 and Tony and Pat Wingfield agree to help to rekindle interest and increase membership
2006 Name change proposed but not carried (winter lunch at Livermead House £17.50)
2007 Don Cockman made President having been involved with the Society since 1950’s. Over 100 members, meetings fortnightly September –May at Pengelly Hall. Competitions, garden openings and 6/7 coach trips per year.
2008 Meeting venue changed to Livermead House Hotel. 80 -100 attendees at meetings.
2009 Large sum of money bequeathed to the Society by George Lidstone, editor of the Devonshire Press, who had been a staunch supporter of the Society. His wish to protect the Society from closure.
2009 Subs up to £13. Attendance 80
2010 Subs up £15 (speakers budget £1200)
2014 Annual Summer Show discontinued due to lack of support and attendance. Subs £20.
2017 125 year celebration (130 members). Birthday Tea Party at Torre Abbey with a celebratory cake.
2020 Outbreaks of Covid and Lockdowns prevent groups of people meeting and the programme was abandoned from March onwards. No AGM.
2021 Lectures reinstated in September with an AGM in November. Vote carried to change the name to Torquay and District Gardening Club.
2022 Full Lecture programme, very depleted membership attendance (following Covid) now down to average 30-40. At AGM after 56 years with the Club Don Cockman stepped down as President and handed over to Bob Sweet.
2025 - April - Venue changed to St Mags Church Hall, Union Street, Torquay, TQ1 4BX in an attempt to reduce costs and increase membership
Programmes archived from 1892-1913 and 1946 to present day.
