On an historical note the club's archives record that, at the end of 1964, A Lady Luce, wife of the Political Resident in the Gulf, Sir William Luce, asked His Highness the late Amir for permission to start "The Garden Club".  She was an enthusiastic Gardener herself and had found many residents and local Bahrainis who were also interested in gardening, were invited to join her.  Lady Luce, together with a group of keen local and expatriate gardeners resolved to form an association after the permission of Amir , whose aims would include the fostering of interest in gardening, the improving of existing gardening methods, and to provide a focal point for the exchange of information on topics of horticultural interest. The enthusiasm was already present amongst the residents of Bahrain to beautify their surroundings with flowers and shrubs.
After many meetings and discussion regarding a likely location and amenities for such association, the Bahrain garden club was launched in 1965 and since then has flourished becoming one of the most active clubs for women in Bahrain. It might be added here that gentlemen members are also welcome but sadly the male membership is rather small.

 His Highness, Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the late Amir of Bahrain was graciously pleased to accept the invitation to become the Club's Patron in 1967 has continued to honor the Club ever since.
Early meetings were held at The Residency, Navy House, Members houses and in their gardens.  The aims of the Club were to encourage a stimulating exchange of ideas on problems growers experienced in Bahrain, to try out new varieties of trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables and fruits and to report on their cultivation.  Many of these new varieties are now commonly grown in Bahrain and Garden Club members, over the years, have contributed to Bahrain's beauty.

 The first Garden Club open Flower and Vegetable Show was held on March 23rd 1966 in the Jufair cinema. It was an informal affair but was well supported by the members and visitors. Photographs show the exhibit tables sparsely occupied, though even then the quality of entries was high. The atmosphere of the hall, with the sights and smells of fresh cut flowers and vegetables, the air of excitement and the prize winning growers were named, and pleasure of exhibitors and visitors at the display all combined to create in almost nostalgic feeling of village fetes, damp grass and sun-warmed canvas suddenly transported to the Middle East.
There was no doubt about its success.  With public interest kindled, the membership of The Garden Club rose steadily and the programmed of activities was expanded to include a wider range of topic and visits. 

 March 1967, His Highness the late Amir graciously consented to open the Flower and Vegetable Show and to take tea with the committee members on the terrace outside the Juffair cinema.  The following year a marquee had to be erected to accommodate the vegetable entries, and, at the 1970 show, the number of exhibits had outgrown the space available.
Flowers from the gardens of His Highness the late Amir and Her Highness Sheikha Hassa were arranged by members as a special exhibit.  Flowers from Europe, the Middle and Far East, India and Australia were flown in as gift by BOAC, Quantas, MEA, KLM and Air India, and beautifully arranged by members of the Club, Exotic blooms sent by the Prime Minister of Fiji to His Highness and the people of Bahrain on the initiative of Peter Carter (previously resident in Manama for BOAC) arrived unexpectedly on the morning of The Show and had to be arranged by Club members!
Hundreds of local flowers, vegetables and shrubs were entered for competition and the whole Pearl Suite was transformed.  It was as though Chelsea Flower Show was being held in Bahrain!  Thirty eight varieties of vegetable, grown at the Bahrain Government Agricultural Experimental Station, were displayed including a basket of asparagus.
The Garden Club members had obtained permission from the Ministry of Education to give flower arranging classes at The Senior Girls Schools.  Student then entered their arrangements.  Students at the Boys Schools had grown flowers and vegetables in the school gardens and these were entered as a special exhibit.  Thus younger generation was introduced to the Garden Club.

 His Highness the late Amir was welcomed by the Bahrain Police Force Board playing the National Anthem as he arrived to open the Show on 19th March 1971, and to see the exhibits.  After taking tea with the Committee members, His Highness the late Amir presented His cup for the vegetable classes to Mrs. Beckett and His cup for the flower classes to Mrs. Kergan.  On departing, His Highness the Amir was greeted by a crowd of over two thousand people waiting to visit the Show.
Tea was served to the visitors on the Hotel terrace and the Police Band played light music.  It was quite an occasion!  The profits of The Show were donated to the Bahrain Health visitors.

 Every year since 1971, the Show has been held at the Gulf Hotel and for the last seventeen years most of the flowers displayed have been grown in the flourishing gardens of Bahrain.
After the British Force left the Gulf at the end of 1971, there were surplus buildings available, so Mrs. Judith Gain and Mrs. Halifax went to ask Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa whether they could have the bungalow (a tailor's workshop) in the Juffair compound as a Club House.  He kindly agreed and Garden Club members spent the summer of 1972 painting chairs, making cushions, decorating and getting hold of furniture and equipment.  With a permanent home it became possible to hold flower arranging classes and exhibitions and to give practical demonstrations of gardening.  A library was started and the rewards of The Club and the many photographs were given cupboard space. 

Prepared by Tahera Jaberi (Chairperson)
Extracted from the memories of Dorthy Hallifax.