The original Southport Chrysanthemum Society was disbanded at the onset of World War 2. We know little about that first Society and hope to do some research to find out more.
When peace had resumed, chrysanthemum shows continued to be staged in the Floral Hall by the council's Flower Show Committee. It was not until 1949 that the enthusiast growers were asked to reform the society and take over the running of the annual shows. The Southport and District Chrysanthemum Society was reformed in December 1949.
In 1953 the society ran its first show independently of the Council. The £100 offered by the Council to offset losses was not required at this show.
Over the years, meetings have been held in many locations including Christ Church School Hall, the Temperance Institute, Long's Cafe on Lord Street, the YMCA on Eastbank Street, Forester's Hall in Wright Street, Lord Street West URC Hall and Emmanuel Church Hall on Cambridge Road.
In the early years flower shows were staged in Christ Church School Hall and Burton Arcade now Wayfarer's Arcade on Lord Street. From 1974 the annual Spring, Summer and Autumn Shows wee held in the beautiful Southport Botanic Gardens. More recently the home of the two annual shows in Spring and Autumn has been Marble Place Shopping Arcade on Chapel Street.
In 1974 the society won the meritorious Championship Trophy of the Northern Counties Chrysanthemum League, held in Denton, Manchester.
During the staging of the late Chrysanthemum Show in 1977 there was a total electricity blackout in the hall, but despite this the show proved to be one of the highest quality shows staged. The Southport Visiter reported "This transcending spectacle of well-shouldered blooms of exquisite form, skilfully grown and expertly presented, must have led the beholder to wonder what quality had to be produced to win a prize when quality was so high, for it was doubtful if the standard could have been surpassed anywhere."
The first press release of the Society in January 1950.
