City of Armadale - History House > Records

TROPHY - KELMSCOTT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY PRESIDENTS CUP

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Butler

1939

Overview

Round cup with decorative S shaped handles on side. Base tapers in to a cylindrical stem then splays out to a round base. Base attached to a circular Bakelite stand. Text engraved on front of cup [Kelmscott Agric. Socy. / President's Cup / -1939- / Presented by / MR. S.L. ROBERTS / Won by / -B.V. CROSS-]. Makers mark stamped on cup base.

Historical information

The Presidents Cup presented at the 1939 Kelmscott Agricultural Show by Mr S.L. Roberts, the president of the Kelmscott Agricultural Society, to Benjamin Cross of Runnymede Orchard. Benjamin Cross won 19 firsts and numerous seconds in the vegetable section of the show.
Runnymede Orchard was located in Bedfordale and was established by the Cross family in 1895, growing into one of the premier market garden and orchards in the district.
The Kelmscott Agricultural Society was established in 1897, the same year they held their first show.
The Cross family established Runnymede Orchard and Market Garden in Bedfordale in 1895 and played a big 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.
This trophy represents the important role market gardens and orchards have and continue to play in the local economy since the late 1890s through to today. The industry has brought many people to the district from around the world to either work in the industry or to own and operate market gardens and orchards. 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

Registration number

cwa-org-33-COA2007.30

Item type

Trophies and Awards

Themes

People
Social History

Material

Bakelite

Width

151 mm

Height or length

325 mm

Depth

249 mm

Inscriptions and markings

stamped makers mark [BUTLER]

Keywords

ROBERTS Stanley Stan Leigh

Runnymede Orchard

KELMSCOTT Agricultural and Horticultural Society

CROSS Benjamin V Mr

Year

1939

Statement of significance

This object is part of a collection of items associated with a person or family who have played a significant role in the economic, community or social development of the City of Armadale. This can include holding key political or social positions within the community, being a key contributor or member of a community organisation, a strong contributor to improving the well-being of the local community, a prominent figure in a local business or industry, developer of new industries or activities or someone who grew up in the area and moved away and had a noteworthy career or life.

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Comparative significance criteria

Well provenanced

City of Armadale - History House

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