It gives me particular pleasure to write this foreword to the Tiptree Garden Club and Horticultural Society website as my great grandfather, A. C. Wilkin, was very much involved in the organisation’s founding.

A. C. Wilkin was an energetic and far-sighted man who, had he been given the chance, would have been very much in favour of a website, I am sure. He describes in a book of reminiscences how at first he was reluctant to pursue the idea of a horticultural society because of business and other commitments but was eventually won round. The Tiptree Horticultural Society (as it was originally known, the Garden Club being added much later) was founded on 17th April 1903 with the first show being held at the National School Rooms, Tiptree Heath, on Saturday 12th September. There were 145 exhibits that day and “…upwards of 235 prizes amounting to £23 – 10 – 0 were offered for competition …”.

Since then the organisation has evolved into the present day Tiptree Garden Club and Horticultural Society and broadened its appeal in doing so. As you can see from the website, it caters for a wide range of interests and offers members the opportunity of taking part in a variety of events.

The Tiptree Garden Club and Horticultural Society plays an important part in the life of the village and I wish it every success as it starts out on its second hundred years.

Peter Wilkin
31st August 2009