TROPHY BEDFORDALE A & H SOCIETY CHALLENGE CUP
1911 - 1912Metallic EPNS trophy, main body is oval, tapering in at the bottom to a thin cylindrical stem that at the bottom splays out to a flat conical base that sits on a round black stained wooden plinth. Top of the main body sits a short metal cylinder that opens to a round lip opening. On the side joined at the top edge of the cylinder and in the middle of the main body are two ear shaped metal handles. Raised moulded floral decorations are on the main body. On front is a oval plain panel with engraved text. On top cylinder part on front is engraved text over engraved floral decorations.
The trophy was first presented to Mr B V Cross in 1911 at the Bedfordale Show, which was held at the Armadale Mechanics Institute on Saturday the 22 April 1911. The trophy, a Champion Challenge Cup was awarded for the first time by the Bedfordale Agricultural and Horticultural Society to the competitor who accumulated the most points during the show. The trophy was won by Mr Benjamin Vidgon Cross of Runnymede Orchard who accumulated nearly 50 points, followed by Mr A J Egan and F A Saw who had points in the 20s.The trophy cost around 5 pounds and was to be presented to the first exhibitor to either win it three times or consecutively. Exhibitors received 2 points for a first place in a category and 1 point for second.. Mr Cross received numerous first and second place in the fruit and vegetable categories for items including apples, pears, grapes, carrots and swedes. In 1912 he won the trophy again meaning it was presented to him to keep.
The Cross Family established Runnymede Orchard and Market Garden in Bedfordale in 1895, and played an important role in establishing and developing the horticultural industry in the Bedfordale locality. Runnymede, especially under the management of Benjamin V. Cross won numerous awards at local agricultural shows including the Bedfordale Show and the Kelmscott Show. The collection also has an association with the establishment and development of local organisations including the Bedfordale Agricultural and Horticultural Society and the Kelmscott Agricultural Society.
Since the 1960s the industry has come under increasing pressure from agricultural land being turned into urban housing developments, children not carrying on family orchards and the cost of running a market garden and orchard which can be very labour intensive industries. As these pressures cause more orchards an market gardens to close this item and other items relating to the industry will change from representing an active and prominent industry to a past industry.
Details
Details
on one side[BEDFORDALE A & H SOCIETY / CHALLENGE CUP / 1911 / WON BY / Mr B.V.CROSS / 1912 / FINALLY WON BY / Mr. B.V.CROSS]
This object is part of a significant collection that represents the important role agriculture, farming and horticulture have played in the development of the City of Armadale. For tens of thousands of years Noongar people have moved through the district harvesting food and game from the forests, waterways and plains. In 1830 British migrants established the town of Kelmscott and started farming the land and establishing the districts first orchards.
