By Sophie Swain Stand Up For Southport
One of Southport Flower Show’s most prolific award-winners can’t wait for the 100th anniversary event to take place this August.
Southport Flower Show, sponsored by Seventy Ninth Group, is the UK’s largest independent flower show and attracts over 55,000 visitors every year. It will take place over four days from Thursday 15th August to Sunday 18th August 2024.
The iconic event is celebrating its 100th birthday this year, with something very special in store from one of the best gardeners in the UK and longest-serving exhibitors at the show.
Alan Foxall has been exhibiting at Southport Flower Show since 1967, having a passion for gardening and flowers from an early age.
He earned a formidable reputation as the Nursery Manager at the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown for 46 years and joined the Southport Chrysanthemum Society at 18 years old.
Alan has won a huge amount of trophies at Southport Flower Show over the decades for his bright and hugely imaginative designs.
Alan Foxall won a Large Gold Medal at the 2023 Southport Flower Show to add to his extensive collection of trophies after he created a flower bed – a colourful and playful bed and bedroom made from flowers. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
In 2023, Alan won a Large Gold Medal to add to his extensive collection of trophies after he created a ‘flower bed’ – a colourful and playful bed and bedroom made from flowers.
This year’s display is one not one to be missed.
Based on the theme of the show’s 100th birthday, Alan is preparing one of his best ever designs – competing under the name of ‘Simply Flowers and Foliage’.
Alan said: “The exhibition is around 18ft (five metres) and in the centre there will be a birthday cake.
“At one end there’s going to be boxes wrapped in birthday paper, with big bows tied around them – like a birthday present.
“At the other end, there will be a table with afternoon tea on it, champagne glasses and the lot!
Alan Foxall won a Large Gold Medal at the 2023 Southport Flower Show to add to his extensive collection of trophies after he created a flower bed – a colourful and playful bed and bedroom made from flowers. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“Around the cake, the colours will be pastel, with pinks, whites and silvers. It will then transition into hot colours like gold, green and oranges.
“That’s all I am telling you, the rest is a surprise!”
Alan said everything is coming together, and he is already counting down the days until the show.
He said: “I am really looking forward to it. It’s a superb show and I’m excited for this year.
“Everyone loves flowers and they cheer people up.
“With everything going on in the world people need cheering up, flowers and greenery do just that.”
Alan Foxall won a Large Gold Medal at the 2023 Southport Flower Show to add to his extensive collection of trophies after he created a flower bed – a colourful and playful bed and bedroom made from flowers. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Southport Flower Show will have some special guests this year from the likes of Adam Frost of BBC Gardeners’ World, David Domoney of Love Your Garden and CBBC’s Blue Peter and CBeebies Star Justin Fletcher.
It will be officially opened by BBC Radio broadcaster, TV star and DJ Adele Roberts.
For more information and tickets please visit the Southport Flower Show website here.
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