The West Cornwall Dahlia Club

'Club History' written by Paul Fisher

The West Cornwall Dahlia was founded in 1995 from an initial idea by the renowned dahlia grower Mr. Ray Adley (Mabel Anne was Ray's own raising), together with the equally prominent dahlia exponent Mr. Ted Curnoe.  The West Cornwall Dahlia Club was born.

The inaugural show was held that same year at Crofthandy Village Hall, Cornwall with many fine exhibits on display for the visiting public to admire.  Since that first event the club has held it's main annual shows at other Cornish venues including Carnon Downs Garden Centre, The Former Homeworld Store, Pool and from the year 2000 to the present day at Chacewater Garden Centre.  There is even a class in their schedule for junior members only.  Film recording were made at each of these events up to and including 2006 with commentary provided by Mr. Paul Fisher until as a result of a Committee majority vote a cost cutting decision was taken to discontinue the films.  In addition for many years the club has held late annual shows at Crofthandy Village Hall.  

    Emma Fisher (author's youngest daughter) Junior Member 2007

Boasting membership of some of Cornwall's supreme dahlia growers, the club provides regular newsletters to it's members through the capabilities of Secretary Paul Fisher, and advice is always ready available.  Indeed, Paul has produced several advice sheets on dahlia topics including 'Growing For The Garden', 'Supporting', 'How To Prepare Oasis' and more.

The club continues to grow in strength under the prudent stewardship of both Ted Curnoe and his wife Rosemary, with superb displays of dahlias and classes for gladioli also.

The club's motto is 'An Informal Group Of Enthusiasts' and so ends a potted history of The West Cornwall Dahlia Club.

For further information about The West Cornwall Dahlia Club please send an email to Paul Fisher, Secretary at: mail@paulsdahliaguide.info 

 Some recent West Cornwall Dahlia Club exhibits by the author

   Main Show 'Challenge Class' Winner 2005

   Late Show 'Best Vase' Winner 2006

    Late Show 2nd Best Vase 2007

   Main Show '2nd Best Exhibit' 2008

The Cornish Dahlia Society

'A Brief History' written by David Jasper, edited by Paul Fisher

A meeting was held at The Royal Hotel, Truro, Cornwall on the 12^th February 1982 with the intention of forming a Dahlia society in Cornwall. Mr David Beer at that time a member of the Executive Council of The National Dahlia Society called the meeting. Cyril Watkins was elected President, David Beer, Chairman and Roger Turrell, Vice Chairman and David Jasper being elected as a committee member.

The first show was held at Perranporth Memorial Hall, Cornwall on the 29^th August 1982 at a cost of £15 for two days and B.B.C. South West gardener Mr Don Hoyle opened the show and later presented the trophies. The show being well contested with growers from Somerset and Devon crossing the Tamar to do battle with the Cornish exhibitors.  Altogether 342 exhibits were staged and 14 trophies presented with The Cornish Championship class being won by Roger Turrell with Daleko Polonia (giant semi-cactus), Trengilly Ember (a homebred seedling) Pink Symbol (medium semi-cactus) and Wooton Cupid (miniature ball). The N.D.S. Silver medal went to Peter Bateson then of Plymouth with Cefyn Glow (small semi cactus) and Nina Chester (small decorative). 

This was the time when most growers didn't cover their dahlias and yet a very good competitive exhibit could be cut from the garden every week. The modern varieties appear to have much softer petals, damping off with even the hint of moisture in the air . Looking back from 1982 to the present day, 2009, only 4 giant decoratives, 1 medium and 1 miniature decorative are shown today. No ball dahlias survive and only 10 pompons. Daleko Jupiter is the only giant semi-cactus (the three sports were not in existence at this time), three Keenes as large semi-cactus, Eastwood Moonlight, medium semi-cactus (no sports) Symbol and Salmon Symbol, medium semi-cactus were around. None of the small cactus/ semi cactus from 1981 are able to match the modern cultivars on the show bench. The second show was held at Wadebridge where it continued to be based for several years. 

For the next ten years or so the society lived from one show to the next with prize money donated by the committee, members and various commercial sponsors. The main show has been held at many Cornish venues: Probus Gardens, Lostwithiel, Grampound Village Hall and Tresillian Village Hall. For the last three years the society has held a three day show over the August Bank Holiday week end in the stable block at Trelissick Gardens by kind invitation of The National Trust . 

This year, 2009, at The National Dahlia Society's Show, Shepton Mallet, the arrangement of 'Dahlias in a Bowl' attracted 9 entries and three classes enjoyed a total of ten exhibits.  This class is voted for by the visiting public and on the first day 280 votes were cast and on the second day almost 200., all of which means at least 500 visitors possibly saw exhibition dahlias for the first time. 

The raising of new varieties in Cornwall has in the past proven to be very successful with a number winning prizes at National level and all around the country. Harold Wilkinson of St. Enodor raised Gurtla Twilight (pompon) a regular winner of the prize for the 'Best Vase of Pompons', Phil Burden raised both May Band Tina B (small balls)at Lanivet , Ray Adley from Helston raised  Mabel Ann (giant decorative), Cyril Watkins from North Country is probably the most successful Cornish based raiser with the Polventon Supreme (small ball) from as far back as 1992. Indeed Cyril has hit a golden streak with a number of new seedlings being released this year including Polventon Discovery (small decorative), with more on trial at nurseries with a view to release them in the near future. Roger Stevens with Amaran Pentire ,Amaran Guard ,Amaran Pico, Amaran Relish.  Peter Bateson with Irene Ellen , C Bateson. Norman Newbury with Norman N , (miniature ball) judged to be a good cut flower. Peter Greenway has a pompon sport and a miniature cactus which has already won prizes in the seedling classes at Shepton Mallet this year, 2009. Roy Knight's Lanrose (collerette) and David Jasper's Kernow Jazzy Bee (giant decorative) have both appeared in recent N.D.S. publications.

The Cornish Dahlia Society continues to this day and also has members from over the border in Devon & Somerset who have also had success in raising new varieties such as Roger Turrell with   Avoca Amanda, Avoca Salmon, Avoca Sue, and many more. Ivor Kitchener the King of Collerette's with Kayleigh Spiller , Scarlett Claire, Maureen Kitchener, Sarah Thomas, and Pat Knight.