Marden Fruit Show Society is a Registered Charity, No: 259586
Marden Fruit Show Society - Aims and Activities
The Marden Fruit Show Society is a Registered Charity run by a voluntary committee who represent many different facets of the fruit industry. The aim of the Society is to promote the better growing, grading and marketing of fruit.
In the pursuit of these aims, the Society organises an annual show which acts as a meeting place for the entire industry. The centrepiece of the show, held each October, is the largest competitive display of commercially grown top and soft fruit staged in the UK. This is complemented by some 75 trade exhibitors promoting the latest machinery, research and development, technology, marketing and educational opportunities within the fruit industry.
In 2003, following the Show, the entire fruit display was taken to Ampleforth Abbey in Yorkshire for a 'Public Celebration of British Fruit', and in 2004 the display went to Kew Gardens as part of their Autumn Festival. Chatsworth House was the post-show venue for 2005, and in 2006 the fruit was taken to Borough Market in London, as part of The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers' 400th Year celebrations. After the 2007 Show, the fruit was displayed at RHS Wisley as part of their "Taste of Autumn" Festival.
In 2008 the Fruit Show will be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the first Show, held in Marden, Kent in 1933. The Competition Fruit will be taken to Lakeside Shopping Centre. at West Thurrock, Essex, on Saturday 18 October, providing the public with a chance to taste and buy some of the finest British fruit.