Flower Show

Amateur film of the Tolleshunt D’Arcy Horticultural Society exhibition held in the grounds of D’Arcy House and featuring Charles Presland & Sons Fun Fair, captured on film by Joyce Allingham.

Establishing shot of a poster advertising the day’s event; the Tolleshunt D’Arcy Horticultural Society exhibition of fruit, flowers, and vegetables on Saturday July 4th 1953 in the grounds of D’Arcy House and featuring Charles Presland & Sons Fun Fair. Shots of the fun fair travellers’ wagons and showmans’ living vans, and some members of the families that inhabit them. As a group of children wait patiently, the fairground workers prepare to set up the fun fair, carrying back and forth fairground equipment and parts of the colourfully decorated fair rides. The fairground workers pose for the camera outside a showmans’ wagon, and they enjoy a cup of tea. The men continue with their work, erecting tents. Shots of the Allinghams’ grounds and continuing with shots of setting up the horticultural show tent and its tables full of flower displays. Flower arrangements are carried to the marquee and competitors make the finishing touches to their entries for display. Whilst some flower arrangements have been prepared in advance, others are prepared on the day in the marquee. The majority of the flower arranging is done by women, although there are some men, and also a young girl arranging flowers. The vases of flowers have each been laid on tables, and Margery Allingham inspects each arrangement. She is accompanied by husband ‘Pip’. Outside the marquee a policeman chats to a local man. Inside the tent there is a display of scenes in miniature, possibly made from plasticine. Judges and visitors look at the fruit and vegetable produce on display. Outdoor scenes at the fairground include people riding on the swing boats, and throwing at the coconut shy, people chatting leisurely in groups. Final outdoor scenes include people wandering leisurely looking at the floral displays in the grounds of the Allingham’s property. Closer to the house visitors sit in the garden.

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Tolleshunt D’Arcy Horticultural Society exhibition of fruit, flowers, and vegetables on Saturday July 4th 1953 in the grounds of D’Arcy House and featuring Charles Presland & Sons Fun Fair.