12th February 1981 Mr. David Beer, a member of the Executive Council and a Vice President of The National Dahlia Society chaired a meeting of local Dahlia growers in The Royal Hotel in Truro. Officers elected included Cyril Watkins as President, David Beer Chairman, Roger Turrell, then living at Constantine near Falmouth as Vice Chairman. The first committee included David Jasper and Ben Hazel who donated The Penhaze Trophy.
“The minimum annual subscription shall be £1-00 and become due on the 1st. February every year.” Committee met monthly and up to 3 lectures were held during the winter months.
The first show was held at Perranporth on the 29th. August 1981 at a cost for the hire of the hall of £15 for two days. Prize money for the trophy classes was donated by members of the committee.
Plant sales and lectures were planned throughout the county including a mini single bloom show at The Swan Inn Wadebridge to be judged by a qualified N.D.S. in the form of a lecture.
The first Cornish Dahlia Society show attracted 342 entries including exhibitors from Somerset and Devon, Peter Bateson from Plymouth and National Giant Dec. champion Tony Kingdon from Barnstaple made the journey to Perranporth. Frank Newberry who has won many National championships from Pompon to Medium Decorative came all the way down from Bristol and beat me in the Pompon championship. Varieties (YES! They were varieties then) winning included Pink Symbol MsC. Wotton Cupid Min.Ba. David Howard Min D. Nina Chester white S.D. Klankstadt Kerkrade yellow S.C. Athalie pink S.C. and their many sports were in a class of their own being far superior to any other small cactus/semi cactus all won well, but are not seen on the show bench now. It is interesting to note that at the extreme ends of range Giant Decs. Alva’s Supreme and Bonaventura are still joint 5th at the NDS national show. The Poms Willos Violet and Moor Place are still very competitive being second and third behind the Harold Wilkinson, Cornish bred Gurtla Twilight. The middle size range has seen a vast improvement in form, so much so that it is almost impossible to tell a Ball Dahlia from a Decorative, I’ve been growing Dahlias for nearly 40 years and still get confused.
1982: 49 members, loss of £104 on Perranporth show, £206.36 in bank. Tuber sales at Swan Hotel and Wadebridge Town Hall. Sponsored classes held at 10 local garden shows across the county prize money of 50p, 30p and 20p with points of 3, 2 and 1 towards an end of season trophy. The requirements to be 3 blooms of small or medium. It was only operated for a couple of years as it was felt it did not achieve the desired increase in membership. AGM 1982 Financial report balance of £203.36p. Tuber sales Wadebridge £86 and Truro £52.
1983: Classes for “proper” Floral Art to be judged by N.A.F.A.S. judges included at the main show. New class for Water Lily Dahlias added. 6 societies holding C.D.S. class. Main show Income £178.74 including Prize money donated by members and committee £91.00. Expenditure £406.34.
1984: Membership of 70 plus 12 affiliated societies (village shows) Almost 2 full page show reports in N.D.S. January bulletin.
1985: It was decided to hold only one lecture per year due to the poor attendance the previous year.
1986 : “The Basket of Dahlia” class introduced at Wadebridge with 8 entries forward. AGM held at Truro rugby club 15 members in attendance. 21 affiliated societies and 70 members. Phil Burden elected to committee. Show expenses £284.53 ( No judges) Income (including committee sponsorship of £75 and returned prize money £14.10) £165.34p. Loss £119.19 p. At the main show (365 entries) Russell Turner from Plymouth won the silver medal a canteen of cutlery, a £1 special prize and the Small Cactus/semi Cactus trophy with 5 Majestic Athalie and 5 Cryfield Bryn (anybody remember them?).
1987: Early show at Wadebridge 210 entries. The NDS. Silver medal was won by Ian Odgers for his North Cornwall Championship entry of Kidd’s Climax, Danna Louise, Pink Kerkrade and White Kerkrade. The main show at Perranporth attracted 280 entries, the Silver medal was won by Peter Bateson for the new basket class using a new waterlily named Clarence. At that time the basket class must have been judged by qualified NDS judges.