A Short History of Spondon Horticultural Society
The story of Spondon’s allotments goes all the way back to 1649. William Gilbert Esquire, born at Locko Park in the parish of Spondon, left £1,000 in his will to provide land for the poor of the village. Over 370 years later, much of that land is still here—and three plots in particular became the allotments we know today: Louise Greaves, Wastefields, and Borrowfields. The Spondon Horticultural Society proudly manages both Louise Greaves and Wastefields.
The Society itself first appears in print on 10 September 1862, in the Derby Mercury. The paper reported on the second Flower and Vegetable Show run by this newly formed group. Back then, exhibitors competed in categories for Gentry, Farmers, and Cottagers (we can only imagine how many weary gardeners did the hard work while their masters took home the prize certificates). Many of the winning names are still familiar in Spondon today, as generations of families have carried on the tradition.
By 1869, the annual show was already being called the Horticultural Fête—a true village holiday. A great tent was filled with fruit, flowers, and vegetables, including striking displays loaned by Locko Hall and Spondon Hall. Visitors came not only from Spondon, but also Derby and the surrounding villages, to marvel at what was described as “very excellent” produce from local cottagers.
The show was more than just plants: there were amusements, races, music, and even the Spondon Brass Band. One local man, Josiah Hackman, became known for decorating his house with flowers and lanterns to delight visitors—complete with a rose-covered fountain lit by Chinese lanterns.
As the years rolled on, the event grew into a much-anticipated highlight of village life. Football matches, funfair attractions, and lively evening dances joined the flowers and vegetables. The Spondon Show had firmly established itself as both a horticultural and social event.
Allotments in their modern form arrived in 1886. The sites we know today were once smallholdings, and in a way things have come full circle: part of Wastefields is once again used as a smallholding. Between the Louise Greaves and Wastefields sites, there are around 150 plots, all overseen by the Spondon Relief in Need Charity. Annual rents support local good causes, ensuring that the land continues to benefit the community, just as William Gilbert intended centuries ago.
In recent years, allotments have become more popular than ever, valued not just for fresh vegetables but also for their contribution to exercise, wellbeing, and a slower pace of life.
And the Flower and Vegetable Show? It’s still going strong. While perhaps not quite on the grand Victorian scale, it remains a cherished village tradition—one of the few local shows to have stood the test of time. Long may it continue to grow and bloom.
(History researched by Alan Beadsmore and Margaret Goodwater)