Although the Minutes do not spell out the details, the Association had closed down in 1931. The November Minutes state that as “members of the Committee had discussed business outside and that outside interference had become too great” the whole Committee had decided to resign. A Special General meeting of the Association was held in December when it was agreed to close the Association.
The option to re-open the Society had been left open and in March 1934 the Allotment Society and others requested that the Trustees call a public meeting with a view to re-opening the show. A meeting was held in the Little Kimble Village Hall on 14 March and it was decided that a Committee should be formed to organise a small show in 1934 which would be enlarged in subsequent years. Mr Jaques was elected Chairman and a Committee of six set up. A meeting later in the month confirmed that the Association had a balance of £31 19/- and 3d and confirmed the appointment of the Treasurer which meant that the important business of signing cheques and liaising with the bank could take place. A list including the President, Vice Presidents and Honorary members who had previously supported the show was also drawn up. The Secretary elect was briefed on the work entailed in the role and confirmed that he understood the considerable work required in this key position. A meeting later in the month discussed and updated the Rules, set in motion the appointment of the Auditors and agreed on the Association’s bankers. It was also agreed that the show should be held on a Saturday in August at the cricket field if possible.
The Minutes of this period clearly show that the Association was all about the annual show with much of the Committee’s time in 1934 being taken up with the very detailed planning of the Show from obtaining quotes for handbooks, tickets and tents to agreeing the schedule of classes, the appointment of judges and the raising of funds and donation of prizes. Although it was agreed that the show was worthwhile, it was felt that there was room for improvement the following year.
Planning for the next show commencing in November 1934 when the revised schedule was confirmed, a list of letters to be written to potential prize donors agreed, judges discussed and a dance planned for the evening. The Show was to be held on Saturday 17 August. It was notable that some members of the Committee were still providing prizes and helping fund events such as the band. It was also agreed to look at setting up a concert in the village hall to help fund the show
The December meeting confirmed that prize donors would include various Vice Presidents such as Admiral and Lady Richmond, the WI, the British Legion and Suttons and Carters seed companies.
By February quotes were being compared for schedules and tents. It was agreed that a Cup for Open classes would increase entries but that they needed to find a generous donor first. As a compromise they agreed to put up prize money of £1 for the exhibitor with the most points in the Open classes, hoping that this would bring in more entries. Considering the hire of the dance band for the evening of the Show and the estimated cost of the concert party were about £2 10/- each this was a considerable sum and a whist drive was planned to cover this extra expense.
The May minutes confirmed that the whist drive proved so profitable that a second one was arranged shortly afterwards. The discussion dwelt on the need to chase up subscriptions from the Vice Presidents and Honourable members. It was agreed to purchase the tent from the Jubilee Committee which had been used for the celebrations for 10/-. It was also decided that a more enterprising programme was needed and agreed that adult sports should be arranged and that upto £5 should be spent on prizes. It was also agreed that the Secretary would arrange a dance at the end of June to cover this extra outlay.
Unfortunately the July minutes showed that the dance made a loss. However, planning for the Show proceeded with the loan of an air rifle and pistol for a miniature shooting gallery being confirmed.
By the August meeting the judges, some of whom were Committee members, the sports and the prize money for the sports were agreed and the refreshments finalised. The Secretary was asked to write to all the helpers about the plans for the side shows which included bowling, darts, hoopla, guess the weight of the cake and the name of the doll. Prizes included cigarettes or chocolate. The number of entries was well up on the previous year, particularly from the Cottagers and Open classes, which was deemed to make the Association’s prospects very rosy!
The Secretary’s report of 30 August confirmed that the Show had been a great success and that the number and quality of entries was good with many more attendees than the previous year. It was agreed that it had set the format to become a successful district show with many entries for the “Open section” as well as for the “Cottagers Classes”. However, the Treasurer’s report showed that although receipts on the gate were good, as were takings from the teas, the sideshows were disappointing and that with outstanding expenses a loss of £7-8 was expected. After much discussion it was decided that the only way to keep funding profitable was by arranging some entertainments over the winter months. Taking everything into account, the year end would probably see a small loss but this was deemed acceptable given the additional costs of the supporting the Show.
At the October Committee meeting the draft report for the AGM and the balance sheets were confirmed. It was felt that the Jubilee celebrations had had some detrimental effect on the success of the sideshows. It was agreed that the reports should be printed and distributed so that all members would know how the Association was progressing.
The AGM was held later that month with the reports adopted and a cup awarded to Mr C Adams, a member of the Committee, for his general efficiency and the best collection of vegetable in the Cottagers classes. Finally, it was agreed that the Association should participate in the Suttons seed scheme.
The two meetings in November showed the whole cycle of preparing for the shows starting again with revised schedules, Vice-Presidents and Honorary Members being approached, judges being recommended and estimates being obtained for the band and tents. It was also agreed that old time dances were to be held regularly in the village hall in order to raise funds for the Show.