Thousands of people flocked to Southport over four days as they enjoyed the much-awaited return of the Southport Flower Show.
The event, at Victoria Park in Southport, was back after a three year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing a huge financial boost to local hotels, shopes, restaurants, cafes and bars.
The largest independent flower show in the UK is run by a local charity which maintains the park all year round at no cost to the council.
This year’s spectacle, sponsored by Home Bargains, was graced by celebrities including Strictly Come Dancing stars Janette Manrara and husband Aljaž Škorjanec, Si King from the Hairy Bikers, and children’s TV entertainer Justin Fletcher (Mr Tumble),
Visitors also found inspiration in the display gardens and from talks by knowledgeable experts, including Adam Frost from the BBC’s Gardeners’ World, ITV’s Love Your Garden presenter Katie Rushworth, Christine’s Garden star Christine Walkden, and Daisy Desire, known to thousands of Instagram followers as the ‘Drag Queen Gardener’.
Kids went free while visitors could also bring dogs to the show, as animal lovers also checked performances by the West Lancashire Dog Display, Mercer Falconry and others in the Arena.
Visitors were entertained by colourful stilt walkers and other performers provided by local firm G Models & Casting Agency.
TV chefs and Liverpool restaurateurs Ellis Barrie and Dave Critchley performed in the Cookery Theatre while there was a first appearance by Jemma Melvin, the Southport home baker whose Lemon Swiss Roll and Amaretti Trifle won the BBC’s Platinum Pudding competition to create the official dessert for the Queen’s Jubilee.
Crowds admired hundreds of displays of flowers and gardens in the Grand Floral Marquee, and Show Gardens created by local gardeners and charities and other organisations including Southport Rugby Club – which is celebrating its 150th anniversary – plus Southport U3A, Macmillan Cancer Support and local schools.
Entertainment was provided by performers including the One Voice Community Choir, Wigan Ukulele Band and Astrid.
This year’s Show was officially opened by Queenscourt Hospice founder Dr Karen Groves MBE.
She said: “As a non-Sandgrounder, I am not sure I should be here! But as someone who has adopted Southport for the last 40-plus years of my working life I am absolutely delighted to have been nominated to be standing here today so thank you.
“In two years’ time this Southport Flower Show will be 100 years old.
“That is a huge milestone for something that has spent half of that time as the largest independent charitably-run flower show in the country. That is something for Southport to be really proud of.
“These four days of the Show are the culmination of a large amount of work, drive, vision and a lot of graft.
“Organising the event, maintaining these amazing grounds, growing produce, designing gardens, running competitions, and all the other stuff that has to go on.
“On your behalf I would like to thank all those who have a small or a large part in doing that because they are totally committed to it and it is amazing that we have got it and it makes it possible for us to enjoy it every year, but especially this year. This is a very special year.”
Dr Groves is retiring this year, after making a huge four decade-long contribution to improving palliative care in this region.
Visitors were impressed by the event.
Speaking on the Southport Flower Show Facebook page, West Lancs Dog Display said: “Huge thank you from the team for having us join you this year. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and hope the audience had as much fun as we and our dogs did.”
Dawn Benson said: “Absolutely loved it – first time going, and won’t be the last!”
Nicki Kiernan said: “Was amazing.Looking forward to next year.”
Katie Lennon said: “Thank you, it’s been amazing at Southport Flower Show.”
Jackie Sutton said: “Really enjoyed the show, I have missed it sooo much!”
Claire Louise Tasker said: “We had such a lovely time. Thank you to everyone involved for producing such a great show especially after a tough few years.”
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