History
The Association was formed in 1925, just before the start of the Great Depression, that period characterised by high rates of unemployment and poverty, only to be followed immediately by the Second World War when things got even worse.
Originally called the Arundel Allotment Holders Association, it was formed by a small group of allotment holders who saw benefit in banding together. At the time, there was an increasing number of local residents wanting some land to grow food to help feed their families. With the outbreak of war, demand for “a plot of land” grew even greater as the Government urged everyone to “dig for victory”.
The benevolent Duke of Norfolk gave over more land to meet the demand for allotment sites in Arundel, including one that stretched “from Priory Road to the farm!” Soon, Duke Bernard and Duchess Lavinia were appointed Joint Presidents.
The Association has changed significantly over the years, of course, and once had a membership in excess of 800. Today it has just over 300 members and the number continues to grow.
What has not changed is the close relationship the Association enjoys with “the Castle”. Lady Lavinia continued as President after Duke Bernard’s death in 1965. On her passing, their daughter Lady Sarah became President until succeeded in 2015 by Martin Duncan, Head Gardener at Arundel Castle and our President today.
The Association held its first Show in 1928 but its first Newsletter had to wait another thirty years until 1958. At the 1964 AGM held in the Congregational Hall in Tarrant Street, it was agreed to change the Association’s name, by then called The Arundel and District Gardens and Allotments Association, to the name we know today, the Arundel Gardens Association, but it’s aims and scope have not materially changed in one hundred years.
The Annual Show became a much grander affair than it is today and once boasted a gymkhana, a pony show and caged birds’ competitions, as well as the usual classes for vegetables, fruit and flowers, cakes and preserves. At their height, the annual shows were held in marquees on the Duke of Norfolk’s land (the “Duchesses Field”) along Mill Road and entry was six pence.
In 1954, Mary’s Wilson-Smith’s late father, Roy Wilson, was the Association’s Secretary. How proud he would be today to know that his daughter is carrying on the family involvement in the Association as a Committee Member, over 70 years later.
This is what Secretary Roy said at the 1954 AGM, as reported in the Littlehampton Gazette. “The season was an exceptionally bad one for gardeners. A more difficult year it is hard to imagine. Rain and storms of unusual severity provided little incentive for even the keenest gardeners”. So, nothing has changed really, except now they call it global warming!
With thanks to Bob Tanner for this special article for our Centenary.