Goldsmiths Gardeners Society

The Goldsmiths Gardeners Society was a gardening club held at Goldsmiths that began in the 1930s.

At the centre there are many trophies from cups held by the Goldsmiths Gardeners Society, dating from around the 1950s up until 1990. These were locked away in a cupboard for a while and the key was lost, however they were able to be taken out again. The cups mention many people but a few key names keep popping up such as: J.W. Proctor, D. Marles, Mrs. L. Bush and L. Truman. The society was popular and their cups were presented by at least 3 different people, one of whom was an MBE.

Goldsmiths Gardeners Society Trophies

Goldsmiths Gardeners Society also managed land behind the centre from 1940-45 and air raid precautions were set up in this space for the duration of the Second World War.

Goldsmiths Gardeners Society Sign

'Lewisham Borough News' paper

They were clearly active in the community as they set up events called the Goldsmiths Gardeners Society Flower Shows. This was an annual event dating back to at least the 1950s. The Flower Show in 1954 was opened by the newly appointed Mayor of Lewisham at the time, Charles Tucker Braithwaite. The Society is described as one of the ‘largest and best known in the borough’ by this 'Lewisham Borough News' paper from July, 1954.

These posters are from the Flower Shows held by the society for their 50 year anniversary in 1987. A lot of the trophies previously mentioned were given out at these events, such as The Garden News Shield For Floral Art, The Goldsmiths Society Trophy, The K.White Sweet Pea Cup, The Arthur Cranfield Trophy and more.
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Guest post by Claudia Griffiths for work experience.