The Wakefield Florists (Floral) Society held shows for Auriculas (with Polyanthus), Tulips, Pinks, Carnations and Dahlias and many of the members showed at all five. It wasn’t until 1874 that it changed it’s name to include Tulip uniquely, as interest in the other flowers waned or other Societies like Wakefield Paxton Society took over the responsibilty.
Note – when looking at shows individually and sequentially it is usually possible to move backwards and forwards by one year by clicking/touching the appropriate year displayed on the left and on the right, immediately below the show displayed. This avoids having to return to this page each time.
Wakefield Florists’ Society
The type of show is shown in brackets after the date. (A) is Auricula, (C) Carnation, (D) Dahlia, (P) Pinks and (T) Tulips.
27 April 1807 (A) 17 August 1807 (C) 2 May 1808 (A) 24 April 1809 (A)
12 August 1809 (C) 30 April 1810 (A) 17 July 1826 (P) 30 April 1827 (A)
1 June 1829 (T) 17 May 1830 (T) 23 May 1831 (T) 30 May 1831 (T)
28 May 1832 (T) 26 May 1834 (T) 11 June 1838 (T) 6 May 1839 (T) 3 June 1839 (T)
27 April 1840 (A) 18 May 1840 (T) 25 May 1840 (T) 10 August 1840 (C) ? June 1841 (T)
25 April 1842 (A) 23 July 1842 (P) 20 August 1842 (C) 24 April 1843 (A)
30 May 1843 (T) 5 July 1843 (P) 14 August 1843 (C) 21 May 1844 (T)
5 July 1844 (P) 12 August 1844 (C) 27 September 1844 (D)
28 April 1845 (A) June 1845 (T) 5 July 1845 (P) 11 August 1845 (C)
22 September 1845 (D) 25 May 1846 (T) 31 May 1847 (T) 7 June 1847 (T)
20 September 1847 (D) Various 1848 (ATPC) 4 June 1849 (T) 26 May 1851 (T)’
5 July 1851 (PC) 31 May 1852 (T) 29 May 1854 (T)
29 May 1857 (T) 31 May 1858 (T) 4 June 1860 (T) 27 May 1861 (T) 28 May 1862 (T)
23 May 1864 (T)
Which Society?
A great detail of research over almost 100 years has taken place to trace the progress of the Society from its foundation until the present day.
To further complicate the research, in the same period in a single year tulip shows by the Wakefield Florists Society and Wakefield Central Florists Society or East Moor Floral Society can be found.
It is difficult to determine from some show reports which Society is involved but all the shows identified in this period have been included.
Heath Society of Florists was formed in 1840 but only one report of a show found.
Eastmoor Floral Society was formed in 1852 holding a tulip show each year. From 1865 until 1873 it is only reports from this Society which have been located.
29 May 1854 (T) 11 June 1855 (T) 27 May 1860 (T) ? June 1861 (T) 25 May 1863 (T)
30? May 1864 (T) 3 June 1865 (T) ? May 1866 (T) ? May 1868 (T) 24 May 1869 (T)
29 May 1871 (T)
Wakefield Floral and Horticultural Society reports can be found of shows where tulips were exhibited along with vegetables etc. The ‘leading light’ of this society was Mr Barrett, a nurseryman from St Johns. Professional exhibitors were allowed at these shows which were usually held at the Music Salon in Wood Street. Just three show reports are included as examples.
7 June 1847 (T) 4 June 1849 (T) 25 May 1859 (T)
Unresolved
2 June 1857 (T)
From 1874 all the tulip shows held were by the Wakefield Amateur Tulip Society.
Wakefield (and District) Amateur Tulip Society
All the following shows are Tulip Shows and were held at the Brunswick Hotel
23 May 1874 24 May 1875 29 May 1876 4 June 1877 27 May 1878 16 June 1879 31 May 1880 6 June 1881 29 May 1882
4 June 1883 2 June 1884 4 June 1885 7 June 1886 13 June 1887 28 May 1888 3 June 1889 27 May 1890 9 June 1891
6 June 1892 22 May 1893 21 May 1894 3 June 1895 26 May 1896 29 May 1897 28 May 1898 3 June 1899 2 June 1900
3 June 1901 2 June 1902 1 June 1903 30 May 1904 5 June 1905 2 June 1906 1 June 1907