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Southport Flower Show Report 2
(21 August 2009)
Photographs by
Jane Harrison & report by Gudrun Stolzenburg.
THE Southport
Flower Show, 2009, is a fantastic possibility to have a day out for
flower fans as well as their not- so- interested companions. On one
side you get everything you need for gardening but on the other side
there are plenty of attractions to keep everybody happy and occupied
for a day, without seeing too many flowers.
This year, garden fans could let themselves be inspirited by the
show gardens designed by professional designers and landscapers from
stylish looking to natural like imagery of mountain scenery. Other
gardens were designed by amateurs such as primary school children
who entered the yearly competition or one made by young people, a
project which is supported by Birkdale Youth Centre and Merseyside
Police. The gardens looked so amazing they might attract the
uninterested persons to give gardening a go.
Another big feature is the flower arrangements in the flower
marquees. Professionals (Grand Floral Marquee) as well as amateurs
(Amateur Marquee) had made up amazing flower displays. Of course at
the show also were possibilities to gain advice and to buy flowers
for your own garden and decorated objects like clay animals or wind
games.
Beside the flower and garden displays there were a lot of other
things going on like a market in which regional farmers, presented
by Food Northwest, and businesses sold their items such as handmade
food or household goods. Another event was the outside arena in
which you could watch a dog agility show or the Vander Brothers on
the Wheel of Death. In the dog show of the H+M Dog Display Team, the
group of dog owners presented their dogs` obedience, cleverness and
fitness in little plays. The Wheel of Death looks a bit like two
hamster wheels at the ends of an axle, which is vertically circling,
pushed by two men in the "hamster wheels". Without any
safety features, the two Vander Brothers would step outside their
wheels and run the wheel from the outside, part of the time even
with blind folded eyes without a possibility to hold on.
All over the showground were little show acts going on like two
clowns giving rides to children on an oversized bike with a swing or
a crazy nun cycling round on a bike made up into an organ, playing
music and joking around with visitors and exhibitors.
On Friday, it was Ladies´ Day, so ladies could watch a fashion show
presented by Debenhams while they could enjoy drinks and finger
food. Also they could enter a best- dressed lady competition and
their ticket numbers could win them prizes in a rattle.
All in all the Southport Flower Show is interesting for tourists
from the UK and abroad because both regional and nationwide
exhibitors are able to see what businesses are in the region;
especially as everyone was really friendly and it was such a warm
atmosphere.
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A
Blooming good show - Report 3
(20 August 2009)
Photographs &
report by Jane Harrison.
EIGHTY years
ago nobody could have imagined how successful the Southport Flower
Show was going to be. However, on the 20 August 2009. I was there to
see it going as strong as ever. Once again it was a four day event
from the 20 August to the 23 August. I waited patiently for the
gates to be opened by English actor and star of pantomime and winner
of I’m a celebrity Christopher Biggins who despite some dreadful
morning weather was dressed for the height of summer in his floral
Florida shirt, shorts and Crocks. When we got through the main gate
I was greeted by some spectacular water features from glistening
balls to cascading waterfalls that Charlie Dimmock would be proud
of. Most of which had already been awarded the golden awards with
the judges saying it was the best ever standard in the Flower Show
and that the bar had well and truly risen. This was backed up by the
fact the judges gave out more golden awards than in any other year.
Paul Crone presented the official opening, which is normally held
outside, but was held in one of the large marquees due to the
weather. The crowd were clearly having a good time as every time he
mentioned the eightieth year anniversary a huge roar of approval
went up. He introduced the major to the audience and also Biggins.
He then presented the Mayor and Mayoress their red roses for the
rental pay of Victoria Park as tradition in this charity
organisation. Biggins now mingled with the crowd fitting in with
everyone telling jokes and taking pictures whilst standing out
because of his attire. It was obvious that he was very comfortable
with his surroundings and was having a good time entertaining the
crowd. The crowd then dispersed to view what was on show whilst
photos and interviews with Biggins were done. Biggins talked about
how whilst in Australia filming I’m a celebrity he had chased a
spider round a room only to find out that it was one of the most
poisonous in Australia. He also told us how that he would not go
back there and that he did not wish to do anymore reality shows and
that I’m a celebrity was a one off and he would never do Big Brother
as:- “you would have to be insane to go in there”. One
comment from Biggins was that whilst in Australia he was with
“awful David Guest”. He then went on to talk about his own
small garden that has its own watering system which he thinks is
very important as he is away a lot and would likes to return to
healthy green plant life. Biggins eats out there with his friends
whenever he gets the chance. Ian Dexter a landscape designer
designed it, and because it is in London it is only small but he
likes spending as much time in it as possible. This was Biggins
first visit to Southport and its Flower Show but he has been to the
Chelsea Flower Show on a number of occasions. He was staying at the
Vincent Hotel and was loving every minute there continually
mentioning how great he found the hotel design and its atmosphere.
He said:- “I was dancing around my room” because of
the clever concept on the walls. Biggins thinks Southport is a
really nice pleasant place but would pick Blackpool over it because
he loves going to Blackpool to spend time with friends there and
have fun around the Pleasure Beach. To end he said that he now
wanted to go and have a Pimm’s and enjoy himself looking at the
exhibitions on display. This years theme for everybody was the
twenties so colourful, tall flowers and bows. There was even a
Laurel and Hardy and a man dressed as a nun driving a piano round
entertaining people which he does every year in accordance with the
theme. All the different flower organisations were there for you to
ask questions and join if you wanted including the Orchid Society
who’s display was out of this world replicating the uncovering of
Tutankhamen’s tomb. The amateur tent was superb alongside the
professional tent that showed you how to do flower arranging
creating some masterful work within the theme. There was a vast
range of flowers from Bonsai to Cactus and from Orchid to Lily.
After walking round the marquees I went outside where the weather
was now glorious sunshine and saw a huge crowd of people who had
been brought out by the weather. I went round looking at the stalls
to see what was on offer and not only saw a number of beautiful
flowers for sale but garden furniture and equipment available at
reasonable prices. As well as sweet stalls and rug cleaners and the
others stalls that are there every year. There were also many food
and drink vans available offering a wide range of snacks throughout
the day to keep you going. The biggest story of the show must surly
go to a gardener called Brian Aurton, who has been going to the show
for the past fifty years but this year decided not to enter the
competition, but have his garden just for show. However his long
waterfall, which cascaded down into a small pond with a rockery and
strategically positioned flowers, was awarded the best in show. To
find out more about that display, go onto our video… This made him
and his son very proud and satisfied that there hard work had paid
off and they were getting recognition for a job well done. To be
continued...
To view our main report, for this week,
all about the
show and lots more photographs, please click on
here. |
