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Croydon ConnectionsThe Reverend William Wilks 1843-1923
William Wilks was educated at Oxford and ordained in 1866. He was curate of Croydon Parish Church until 1879 when he was offered the vicarage of Shirley. During his 30 years in Shirley new church schools, a men's institute and a new organ chamber were built, a cricket club was formed and a sports field purchased. The Reverend William Wilks was an accomplished horticulturist as well as a church minister. He discovered a patch of common wild field poppies growing in a dark corner of his garden. One flower had a very narrow edge of white and gradually by selection and elimination over several years he developed the Shirley Poppy from this seed. The distinctions of the Shirley Poppy are a white base, yellow or white stamens, anthers and pollen and no trace of black. This poppy is carved on the Mayor's mace and is recognised worldwide. The Royal Horticultural Society welcomed The Reverend Wilks as a Fellow in
1867 and during his 25 years of service he instituted the Wisley Trial Grounds
and Chelsea Flower Show. In 1912 he was awarded the highest honour of the Society,
the Victoria Medal of Honour in Horticulture. Just prior to his retirement in 1912 he built 'The Wilderness' on ground adjoining the vicarage. Today this is more familiarly known as the Methodist Society's Home for the Elderly, Hall Grange. The vicarage itself became a listed building of historical importance in 1983. More information - The Old Vicarage 
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Wednesday, 27 August, 2008 | ||
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