BENTHAM Horticultural Society has been put in abeyance for 12 months - in the hope that new members will come forward and save it from folding.

Only seven people attended the annual general meeting despite letters being sent to all members and exhibitors and appeals in the press.

The society, founded in 1956, desperately needed some new blood as the main members wished to step down after several years of dedicated service.

Chairman Jim Robinson, his wife, Maureen, who is vice-chairman and treasurer, and their daughter, Susan Holden, the society's secretary and show secretary, announced their intention to resign.

The family does not live in the area any more and think it is time someone from Bentham took on some of the show's responsibilities.

"They don't encourage you to do the show. There is so much apathy there and they don't care," said Mrs Robinson.

She added that only three people in Bentham did anything towards the event and 90 per cent of the people who visited it were from the caravan parks not the town.

"If someone wanted to come and do it we would show them what to do, but quite honestly I don't think there is anybody," said Mrs Robinson.

Mrs Holden said that as far back as 1992 extra helpers were needed to ensure the society's continuation and in 1994 an extraordinary general meeting was called to discuss its future. Members agreed to keep it going for another year to "see what happened".

"This has been the case ever since, with the society limping along with a small core of people who have struggled to keep it going," she said.

Mrs Holden added she knew of similar small shows which had also put off events because of a lack of interest. She thought today's youngsters were more interested in computer games and football and new houses were not built with big enough gardens to encourage people to grow plants to show.

"It will be sad to see the show go. The time has come that someone from Bentham should take it over," said Mrs Holden.

Peter Cowgill, who has attended every show since it began, said he did not want to see the society fold, and the others present agreed.

It was decided, therefore, to keep the society and show in abeyance for 12 months to see if volunteers would come forward.

In the meantime, Mr and Mrs Robinson and Mrs Holden will continue to receive correspondence and to administer the society's funds.

Regarding the society's assets, Mr and Mrs Robinson will look after the cups and trophies and Mr Cowgill will take charge of the storage of the tables and vases.

Copies of the accounts were circulated to all those present, and the treasurer said balances in both the current and deposit accounts were healthy.

It was not money the society needed but helpers, the meeting was told.

Members were due to hold a coffee morning on Saturday April 28, but they decided to offer the booking to Low Bentham Horticultural Society.

If it did not wish to take up the offer, then members would hold the coffee morning but would donate the proceeds to charity.

President Jane Preston thanked all the officials for their help, and said it had been an honour working with them over the past four years. Without their efforts, the society would have folded years ago, she added.

She also offered her services to the society if it continued.