Village Horticultural Show

Since the mid 1800s, the first Saturday in July has been a special date in the diary of this pretty village and 1953 was no exception. The travelling fair is set and grand marquees erected on Carter's Meadow where nervous entrants of all ages display carefully nurtured produce. Flowers are tweaked and potatoes prodded before the judging begins. But all the rivalry is put to one side at the fairground or taking tea courtesy of local resident, the crimewriter Margery Allingham

Writer Margery Allingham, creator of the fictional detective Albert Campion, lived at D'Arcy House opposite Carter's Meadow for the last 30 years of her life and, along with her husband, 'Pip' Carter was very much involved in the village life of Tolleshunt D'Arcy. One of the traditions was an annual cricket match, hosted on their meadow, between a team from 'Pip's' London Club and a local team from nearby Chappell. This film of the Flower Show is among many scenes, including the cricket matches filmed by Margery's younger sister, Joyce who also spent time at D'Arcy House and we have to thank for capturing these events which are so representative of our English villages and traditions.