Rose show delayed by Covid thorns
The New Zealand rose show in Palmerston North has been chopped for this year because of the thorny problems following the Covid-19 crisis.
The national showwill instead be held in the city in November next year.
Celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the international rose trials have also been postponed for a year.
Roses Manawatu¯ president and organising committee convenor Hayden Foulds said it was a hard call to make, but the economic circumstances meant it would be difficult to host successful events this year.
‘‘There were a number of factors behind the decision,’’ he said.
‘‘One was that the international people could not come. Also, as many of the exhibitors in the rose show are over 70, we did wonder how many would travel.’’
Foulds said the economic fallout from the Covid-19 restrictions would alsomake securing sponsorship difficult.
The 2021 National Spring Rose Show and conventionwill be held at the Palmerston North Conference and Function Centre on November 26-28 next year.
Foulds said the new timing brought the event into alignment with Palmerston North’s 150th anniversary celebrations, recalling the city’s history as Rose City.
The postponement has also set back release of the 50th anniversary history book on the International Rose Trials at Victoria Esplanade and sales of the new Pride of Palmy rose.
The annual rose trial awards and a small celebration of the anniversary will still go ahead in November.
The Auckland and Franklin rose societies, which were expected to host next year’s national show, will push back their dates to 2022.