U. and B.H.S - can you help?

[Maggi Young]

I've had an interesting query from Derek who is researching his  family history.
As part of the family's keepsakes are these two lovely gold medals, dated 1895 and 1897, awarded to his Grandfather, by the U & B HS

This is what Derek told me:

" I have 2 gold medals which were won by my grandfather in 1895 and 1897 in the "model flower garden" category of U&B H S.  They are hallmarked gold and engraved with his name (D.Muir) so it has clearly been an organisation of some significance in it's time.  Google has drawn a blank so far and there is no-one left alive in the family to throw any light or recollection on the subject so I am making no progress in discovering what U&B H S stands for.  The attached jpeg files shows an image of the medals.
 
Whilst it's probably a longshot - are there any of your members whose horticultural knowledge might be able to tell me what these initials (U&B H S) stand for or have a feel for any other direction which might lead to an answer.  He was an Estate Gardener around various Scottish Estates for most of his life and also worked in the Doncaster / Yorkshire area for a spell before returning north.
 
This all relates to family history research and carries a hope that it might unearth an article or photograph in due course.  No photographs of him have survived.
 
If anyone can assist it would be very much appreciated.
 
With regards and thanks,
 
Derek "

I think we can safely assume (who said NEVER assume?! ) that the H.S. stands for Horticultural Society..... but what about the U & B??


Pictures of the rather fine gold medals attached below... click to enlarge them.....

[Maggi Young]

I have gleaned from the hall mark on the 1987 medal that is is marked for Charles Edward Soloman who worked in the 1890s in Vyse Street, Birmingham.  Hallmark is for 1892.

Since Birmingham is one of the largest centres for both gold and silversmithing, that does not get us very far, interesting though it may be.
A provincial maker would have been handy since it would have narrowed down our search area for U and B..... never mind, I know you  folks love a puzzle..... let's see what we can come up with for Derek.

[ArnoldT]

{something} {something} Horticultural Society.

[ranunculus]

Not directly linked (or at least I don't think so), but initial and very random research into Uttoxeter and (various options beginning with 'B') revealed this incredible document that merits reading by anyone with a curious mind.
What will Ullapool and 'B' produce from the cobwebs?  

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14472/14472-h/14472-h.htm

[ranunculus]

Options

England : Uckfield, Ulverston, Uppingham, Upton-upon-Severn, Uttoxeter and Uxbridge.
Scotland : Ullapool
Northern Ireland : Ulster and Belfast?

From a Google search:-
'Ulster Museum dates from 1833. Meanwhile a Botanic and Horticultural Society was formed in Belfast in 1827. They created a private botanic garden and the Palm House was built in 1840. The Botanic Garden became a public park in 1895'.

Judging by the quality and original price of the medals I would suspect that this was a 'city' venture rather than a smaller more rural association?  I would be tempted to concentrate my searches across the Irish Sea?

Another superb resource discovered by chance:-

http://www.glenravel.com/belfast-timeline.html

Simply click and download these utterly fascinating files.

[Lesley Cox]

If you really start looking for this kind of stuff, your life can be taken over very quickly - as Roger has found out!

And as an Australian website advertised on our telly says, "you don't have to know what you're looking for, you just have to start looking."

Good luck to Derek. They're certainly very nice medals to have among his heirlooms.

[art600]

Lesley

You are so right - but as Cliff has found you also discover such interesting sites - perfect for the current bad weather

[PDJ]

Might sound daft but many companies sponsored things like this.  B.H.S could have been British Home Stores, although not sure how long they have been in business.

[Maggi Young]

First British Home Store opened inBrixton in 1928.



The list  of places in both Scotland and England beginning with the letters U and B is REALLY long.... would take a long time to sort through them all to match nearby places that may have had a combined Horticultural Society. 

[Maggi Young]

First hot clue, from Stan da Prato./.. he is looking into the possibilty that there existed an Uddingston & Bothwell Hort. Soc.  
Nowadays the two have their own societies  but in the past in may have been a joint venture.



 

[ranunculus]

First hot clue, from Stan da Prato./.. he is looking into the possibilty that there existed an Uddingston & Bothwell Hort. Soc.  
Nowadays the two have their own societies  but in the past in may have been a joint venture.
 

They must have been quite a wealthy Society to award such lovely medals.

John Dower ... eat your heart out ... you could have had a fistful of these! 

[Maggi Young]

Of course... the medals were awarded for "a model flower garden" .... Johnny D could be retired  to the Bahamas by now!

[ranunculus]

Of course... the medals were awarded for "a model flower garden" .... Johhny D could be retired  to the Bahamas by now!

Sore point, Maggi   ... in fact, Nassau point!!!

[Martinr]

 
[/quote]

They must have been quite a wealthy Society to award such lovely medals.

[/quote]

Neither Uddingston or Bothwell was/is short of very posh houses, definite possibility.

[jomowi]

I wonder if Derek has thought of trying the RHS, or if the U & BHS was a Scottish one, the (Royal?) Caledonian Horticultural Society?  I imagine both keep archives of past events.  Even if the U & BHS was not affiliated to either, D. Muir might have exhibited at one of their shows at sometime in his life.  Worth a try?