David Sawyer on the Cavendish Perfection

Southport Flower Show – Thomas Sawyer’s Challenge Trophy winning tomato display

Following on from our Wallasey Tomato posts, David Sawyer (now of Kent) has kindly shared some of his memories of another well known tomato that was grown locally. It is lovely to hear about the avid interest in creating local varieties during this period. 

My family hail from Walmer Road, Birkdale where they were market gardeners from the early 1900’s until 1970’s, supplying Southport and also at Lydiate from 1934 until around 1980 supplying Liverpool. They grew mainly salad tomatoes, lettuce, dahlias and chrysanthemums. I was always told in the 1950’s & 1960’s that Cavendish Perfection and, I think also Moneymaker, were two of the varieties being grown. The flavours of Sawyer’s tomatoes was outstanding. In August 1939 my father Thomas Sawyer exhibited at the Southport Flower Show and won the Challenge Trophy with a display of tomatoes which comprised red salad, plum, cherry and other colours. I was always told that Cavendish Perfection was one of the varieties being shown. I only have a black and white photo which I attach for your interest.

I was also told that the variety Cavendish Perfection was created in Cavendish Road in Birkdale (which is the continuation of Walmer Road and about 100 yds from the nursery) by an amateur gardener. He lived on the Eastern side of the Road near, or adjacent to, the entry into an allotment (now built on) where he had several plots. His hobby was creating new varieties by cross pollination which he did with tomatoes and dahlias. I used to know his name but sadly, at the age of 82, it has slipped away! I think it was an old Southport name like Rimmer or Lloyd but I’m not sure now. I also think he was a tradesman by occupation (e.g. plumber or carpenter). He would get the Sawyer’s to trial his more promising varieties which led on to Cavendish Perfection being displayed at the Southport Show. This suggests that the variety was in existence and well established earlier than 1938.

Whilst I don’t have any citation from the awarding committee perhaps it might still exist in their records. Also, there might be an entry in the local newspaper the Southport Visitor. It’s just possible that there might be some allotment records still in existence.