Ponteland Flower Show or Ponteland Flower and Craft Show as it is now known is in it's 48th year.

Having been in abeyance for a good number of years the Flower Show was resurrected in 1978. It was promoted by Dr Jack White (of the White Medical group) and Barbara, his wife, inviting all local organisations to send a representative to an inaugural meeting. On that snowy night in February,  Ponteland Parish Flower Show was established. Barbara White volunteered to be secretary and remained in post until the current secretary, Les Dinning took over in 1992. Dr White sought out Bob Woolley, a renowned gardener and show exhibitor to be the first chairman. The Flower Show was to be held in the Ponteland Memorial Hall, and traditionally still is, on the second Saturday of September each year except that in 2020 and 2021 the Show had to be a virtual Show because of the restrictions of Covid 19.

Following Bob Woolley,  Bobby Thompson, rose expert and head gardener at Ponteland College (later to become Northumberland Police HQ.) was elected to the chair. On Bobby’s demise Dr Garry Blessed took over as chairman for 1991. Syd Cowan was elected chairman in 1992 and after 26 years he handed over to David Goodchild in 2018. Dr Jack White remained as President of the Show until his death in 2018.

The Flower Show has always been a village event and has a history of successive  generations of the same families entering the Show. In 2022 the show was made open to all to allow everyone in the surrounding area to take part and the name was changed from Ponteland Parish flower show to simply Ponteland Flower Show. 

Of course the Show isn’t just about Flowers and our most popular section covers Vegetables and Fruit, but we also have large Handicraft, Cookery, Photography, Painting and Children’s Sections. There are regular changes to the schedule to enable different skills and interests to come to the fore. This year we have added some new flower and vegetable classes and craft classes.  At one time there were many entries in the floral art classes but when it was realised that the entries were all from Flower Club members they offered to put on a display instead. This has become a spectacular and popular part of the show. Although 2023 saw the return of flower arranging to the show. 

In 2023 the show had another name change and is now the Ponteland Flower and Craft Show to better represent the range of skills on show.

Prize money was always nominal but in 2022 the decision was made to make the show free to enter and to not have prize money, simply prize certificates and bragging rights! Trophies were also replaced by award certificates which winners can take home and keep. These are presented by the Mayor at the end of the Show. Followed by the raffle draw and a very popular auction of produce and flowers. 

The standard of entries in our Show has always been high and some of our competitors are experts in their field but you don’t need to be an expert to enter any of the classes. We always have people showing (and winning) for the first time and it is especially good to see younger people getting involved. The children’s classes are always well supported by the Rainbows. The Guides provide much appreciated tea and cakes on Show Day to raise funds for their activities. 

The show is run by volunteers and is able to continue thanks their efforts along with donations from entrants and visitors on the day, the kind support of local businesses and the proceeds of the raffle and auction. 

The Show Committee is small in number and some of us are creeping on in years but we manage to plan and get to Show Day with some additional help from volunteers.. 

If you are interested in joining us or helping at the Show please get in touch via info@pontelandflowershow.org.uk