The Society as it is known today, started life in 1886 as the Leeds Paxton Horticultural Society.  Meetings were held on a regular basis on Saturday evenings when most of the "professional gardener" members were free to attend. 

As the Society evolved, its character transformed. With the decline of the “big houses” and professional gardeners, a new era dawned - one led by passionate amateurs whose enthusiasm and dedication gave the Society fresh energy and purpose.

As television and car ownership became more widespread, Saturday evening meetings saw a decline in popularity and attendance gradually fell. In an effort to engage new gardeners, a fresh approach was taken in 1993 with the launch of an afternoon group - the “Friday Forum.” Since its inception, the Forum has flourished, establishing itself as a thriving and much‑valued venue for the gardening community.

By 1999, the Society had embraced a new identity - shaped by leisure gardeners rather than professionals. With fresh energy and enthusiasm, its focus shifted away from Saturday evenings toward a more inclusive spirit of community and enjoyment.  

On 20 March 1999, at the Annual General Meeting, a new constitution was adopted that marked a turning point in the Society’s history and laid the foundation for its registration as a charity. On that date, the Leeds Paxton Horticultural Society, together with its Rule Book and Committees, formally came to an end. In its place, a new organisation - the Paxton Horticultural Society - was established, and later that same year achieved recognition as a Registered Charity (number 1075700).  While many traditions were preserved, the Society now operated under the requirements of Charity Law and the oversight of the Charity Commission.

The Trustees of the Society are those members who have been elected by the membership to serve on the Executive Committee of the Society. These Trustees have a "joint and several" responsibility to ensure that the Society is run in accordance with Charity Law and the Constitution of the Society. 

Paxton Horticultural Society holds meetings between various venues, see individual group pages for further details. 

The member groups within the Society offer a varied programme to suit most horticultural requirements, please check out details of the groups shown.

 Details of our shows are on our FB page below (please feel free to ask any questions): 

     "Paxton Horticultural Society - Leeds" FB Page