The Origin of the Bexleyheath & District Rose Society
by
Our President Frank Boardman

Prior to the introduction of the 5 day week most offices were open on Saturday mornings to mid day. I was working to 12 noon and just as I was about to leave the office in Westminster I was approached by a senior colleague. He asked me if I liked roses and went on to explain that he was a member of the (then)  National Rose Society which was holding the annual summer show at the Old and New Royal Horticultural Society Halls at Vincent Square, Westminster. I accepted the ticket he offered and on leaving the building I was struck by the shimmering heat, reminiscent of the tropics. Ten minutes or so later, walking briskly I entered the old RHS Halls. The combination of the fragrance of the roses, accentuated by the heat of a crowded hall, captivated me. After visiting trade exhibits I saw the amateur exhibits and flower arrangements. Before leaving I joined the National Rose Society and learned that their offices were in Victoria Street. Subsequently I passed many happy hours in their library reading Rose Annuals of past years, books on culture and disease of roses and autobiographies of celebrated rose nurserymen.

I paid frequent visits to Queen Mary's Rose Gardens, Regents Park and continued reading library books during the winter months.

I moved into a house and garden in 1953, Coronation Year, and despite restricted space I was able to choose a selection of roses, two rambling roses which remained on my occupation, Albertine and Alberic Barbier, respectively a coppery pink and a yellow, changing to white, are still popular.

In 1956 I acquired transport and was able to visit rose nurseries within reasonable distance and see the new varieties in flower and meet the nurserymen.

An event occurred in the late fifties when a rose publication entitled The Rose, published by Whitefriars Press  appeared on the bookstalls, similar to the Rose Bulletin in format and contributions both amateur and professional.

One of the early issues contained an article "How to form a Rose Society" by the then Secretary of the Manx Rose Society. My parents were Manx by birth or descent and the island was like a second home to me. I contacted the writer, as I was due for a family reunion and I found myself meeting the Secretary at Greeba Castle, formerly the home of a famous Manx novelist Hall Caine.

During a fascinating and wide ranging evenings discussion we exchanged views.

To those who are not familiar I will give a brief summary of the Island. It is approximately 37 miles long by 12 miles wide, with a rugged coastline. It is served by air and sea but in winter, gales and fog can bring travel to a standstill, thence the need for news bulletins so that whether through infirmity or weather conditions, members can keep in touch.

Whilst there are no rose nurseries on the Island it is equidistant from England and Ireland. Sam McGredy moved to New Zealand but Pat Dickson remained in Northern Ireland.

Some years ago Pat Dickson staged a rose show with the winning entry in a competition to be named by the competitor. It was named Manx Queen. Curiously enough the Countess of Granville, the wife of the Lieutenant Governor in the years of world war 2 was the elder sister of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

To return to home ground, I arranged for the printing of 500 leaflets, which I pushed through letterboxes in Bexleyheath and Welling.

The foundation meeting took place on 11th May 1960, to my dismay there were 12 of us and it was apparent that whilst those present were interested, domestic or business commitments, or other reasons precluded their devoting the necessary time to put the Society on a firm footing. Those present agreed on the Society's present title and an annual subscription of 5 shillings.

A chairman was elected, a Treasurer, and I doubled as Hon Secretary and  Hon Show Secretary and the remainder as  Committee members. One further obstacle remained in that two foundation Committee members, the late George Turley and the late Harry Walder offered their services at any time or place but unfortunately neither was a driver.

As the membership swelled it was necessary to attract experienced rose exhibitors. The Society's first President Dr. E Mc P Watts was followed by the late Bill Holmes and Bill Bowpitt and numerous other exhibitors in the intervening years.

In the early years Mother Nature mischievously interfered. Show day would dawn but not a single postal entry and scarcely a rose to be seen. On such occasions the ladies sprung to our aid with floral arrangements, whilst rose exhibitors are required to raise roses in their own gardens.

The Borough of Bexley staged an annual flower and horticultural show in a marquee in Danson Park. It was held in Summer on a Saturday and Sunday I obtained permission from Mr. Eul, the Park Superintendent, to site a table in the marquee with the assistance of George Turley and Harry Walder. We had the table covered with rose catalogues, rose annuals, rose books etc. There was an excellent response and both Bert and Pat Powell and Bill Holmes were enrolled.

During the season there were coach trips to National Trust properties, rose nurseries etc. The late Jack Harkness of  Harkness Nurseries, Hitchin, Herts was a visiting rose judge and Sam McGredy provided valuable assistance.

However in the fullness of time I was posted to Surrey for a period of 3 years in the summer of 1967.

In addition to his establishment of a trading post and involvement with the Greenwich and Bexley Hospice, Bert was mastermind behind the journey to New York, coach trips with hotel stays throughout the UK and visits to the continent.

Those who were privileged to know him were aware of his boundless energy and on the occasional visits by my wife and myself  he was always so busy that it almost seemed that a prior appointment was necessary.

My wife and I became aware of his death on receipt of the Newsletter, which over the years has become as invaluable as a national newspaper. Inevitably the earliest members of the Society have diminished in number but the efforts of all have contributed to the Society's success.