By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The iconic Southport Flower Show will celebrate its 100th anniversary event this August – but what was the first one like?
One lady with very fond memories was Melissa Woods, who was invited back to Victoria Park as a VIP guest in 2015.
Melissa was 94 years old at the time and a regular visitor to the UK’s biggest independent flower show over the decades.
Southport Flower Show in 1924. A charming group of cut roses, extending 40 ft. The exhibit by Messrs S. McGredy, Portadown, was awarded the First Prize and a Silver Challenge Trophy. Photo by Southport Flower Show
Speaking to the Southport Visiter back then, she said:“In 1924, I went to the show with my granny and my aunt and we were living in Ainsdale at the time, while my parents lived in London.
“What I remember is these massive daisies on display and I also saw some flowers that were like huge dandelions.
“I was only three-years-old and I sat in my pram at the end of the marquee alongside my granny.
“She had to borrow a folding chair from one of the stands because there were no public seats then.”
This exhibit was awarded First Prize and a Silver Challenge Trophy for a Decorated Table of Fruit at the 1924 Southport Flower Show, and was exhibited by His Grace The Duke of Newcastle. Photo by Southport Flower Show
Since the first show started, Melissa had been to nearly every single show, just missing the odd one here and there.
In 2015 her three friends, Sue, Anne and Dorothy, all accompanied her as they walked around and took in the breathtaking displays.
Since Southport Flower Show began in 1924, Melissa witnessed a lot of changes over the years, noting the size of the show as a whole as the main difference from the first show and now.
She said: “There was just the one marquee when the Flower Show first started and nothing more.
Southport Flower Show in 1948. Photo by Southport Flower Show
“Things like the horse-riding and the dog shows and the entertainment – that all happened on a different day from the flower displays. It has changed enormously.
“The display put on by the prisons is always very good.
“And I always really enjoy going to see the roses and the alpines as well, and the Delphinium displays are lovely.
“I will have a look around and have a look on the programme at what is on offer.
“But there is always something that catches my eye while I walk around the grounds looking at the displays.”
Southport Flower Show in 1955. Photo by Southport Flower Show
Melissa became a bit of a local celebrity for the 2015 flower show.
Photocalls and interviews with her were organised across the weekend, with Melissa rubbing shoulders with celebrity guests including Coronation Street star Sherrie Hewson and TV chef John-Christophe Novelli.
Melissa said: “I find the media attention very strange. Very strange indeed.”
Southport Flower Show in 1955. Photo by Southport Flower Show
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.
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 Southport-born 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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