The Portishead Horticultural Society (PHS) was founded in 1863 and held its’ first Flower Show in that year. Shows have been held every year since then, with the exception of the war years, at a variety of venues. In 1951 the PHS acquired the present Show Field and had the level raised to overcome its’ marshy ground and make it more suitable. The Shows are major events in Portishead’s calendar and
have continued to adapt to reflect changing times. Apart from flowers, vegetables and fruit the show has included handicrafts, country crafts, horses, dogs, funfair and even dare-devil motor displays amongst others. The accent today is very much on activities for our children and young people and for promoting local country life, nature and environment as well as being an outlet for our local talent. We seek to continue with the good traditions from our past, whilst introducing new things that we hope will come to be regarded as traditions in the future. The Summer Show is self-financing and costs over £28,000 to stage. Not only is it expensive, but it is entirely dependent upon volunteers doing all of the organisation and manual work. The marquees cover an area as big as a supermarket, which has to be set up, run and dissembled all within one week. For decades the show field was made available for community use through the local council, however they decided not to continue with it, but the show field is still available on request to the Lettings Secretary. The most notable let is to the Carnival. We are indebted to everyone who contributes to the show’s success be they volunteers, members, patrons, sponsors, local businesses and organisations, TV and radio etc. The Society has close links with the Portishead Floral Art, Portishead in Bloom and Allotments as well as various youth organisations. We always need new blood to carry the show forward. Membership of the PHS brings with it free show entrance, topical meetings, summer outings and shows etc. The future of our local Show is in your hands - the local people of Portishead.
