By Sophie Swain Stand Up For Southport
Southport Flower Show’s 100th birthday celebrations kicked off on Thursday, with special guests who included Beechgrove Garden Stars, Carole Baxter and George Anderson.
The pair joked, “It’s probably because of the rain,” but the Garden Theatre was packed, with not a spare seat in sight. The people of Southport were keen to listen to the duo and receive expert gardening advice.
The two popular presenters are part of Beechgrove Garden, a Scottish horticultural and gardening show that offers viewers tips, tricks and advice. It was first broadcast in 1978
Paul Crone, the show’s Compere, kickstarted their session by asking Carole and George about how they got into gardening and obtained a role in the show.
Beechgrove Garden star Carole Baxter at Southport Flower Show. Photo by Gareth Jones Photography
Carole explained how she joined as a behind-the-scenes gardener in 1986, while George joined in 2005 after receiving a phone call offering him the job.
He said: “It gave me a second lease of life. I watched the show and those people were like heroes to me. It was such a joy to fit in.
“I’m lucky that gardening is my hobby as well as my job.”
Carole and George said they were both fascinated with the talent at the Southport Flower Show. They thought all the displays were ‘fantastic’ and ‘outstanding,’ giving up their time to walk around the show and talk to other gardeners and attendees.
Robinsons Seeds and Plants from Preston with Carole Baxter and George Anderson of Beechgrove Garden at Southport Flower Show. Photo by Gareth Jones Photography
“We both got as soaked as you lot are,” they joked.
As the programme is set in Scotland, the duo were surprised that so many people in Southport watched.
The credit they gave it for being so popular is because it is not scripted.
“We’re real people,” they explained.
“We never have lines to learn, everything on the show comes from us. We have a run-through with the cameras, so they know where we are going to walk but everything we say is from the heart.”
Beechgrove Garden stars Carole Baxter and George Anderson at Southport Flower Show. Photo by Gareth Jones Photography
The team went on to talk about their gardening struggles this year. With a shorter season, everything was late coming through. But George said, “You have to work with the weather.”
Next, it was to the audience, who were happy to ask questions about their growing and gardening. From a pear tree that was not producing any fruit to slugs on organic vegetables, Carole and George were able to answer all.
One person even brought in a prop – a dead plant which she needed help with.
Carole and George’s slot proved to be very popular. They also continued the celebrations as special guests on Friday for even more questions and advice.
- For more details and tickets for Southport Flower Show please visit: www.southportflowershow.co.uk
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