Champion Gardener
Bill Beaver 1981
Bill with some of his prize winning blooms
Bill Beaver became a Champion Gardener in 1981 when his love of gardening was rewarded by the Benfleet and Canvey Horticultural Societies. The judges had made secret visits to all the council properties with gardens during the summer checking them for colour, variety, tidiness and style. On the 3rd of November of 1981 Bill was presented with a cup and a cheque for £15 at a meeting of the council’s housing committee.
Bill spent some 14 hours a week tending his garden. This was only the second time he had been in the competition, the previous year he won second place. Bill said at the time ‘I have always been a keen gardener. Gardening keeps me young’.
Bill Beaver with his cup
Janet Dolling
Bill receiving his cup at the Council Housing Committe meeting
Janet Dolling
Bill and his daughter Janet in Bill's prize winning garden
Janet Dolling
Bill at work in his garden
Janet Dolling
Comments about this page
When we lived on Canvey some years ago, my father Mr.J.D. Smeaden won a shield which I believe after three years he was allowed to keep, and he replaced it with a cup called the Smeaden cup, my aunt who still lives on Canvey said it is still around as no-one has won it yet for three years runing.
Have you heard of this a cup.
from Joan Quiddington nee Smeaden.
Hi Joan
Just browsing and saw this. Interesting as my dad Ernest was mad about gardening so was his brother Alf. Must have run in the family. I hope you hear about where the cup is and we could add that info to the family tree. Will have to speak with you sometime. I hope you have a nice xmas.
Best wishes Love David x
Add a comment about this page