Community grasps the nettle
Joy as Ayr Flower Show is saved by volunteers
Green- fingered gardeners have SAVED the Ayr Flower Show.
A hearty bunch of volunteers have stepped up to the plate and vowed: “The show will go on.”
A crisis meeting staged on Friday was attended by 40 enthusiasts including representatives of the principal floral societies.
From that a 10- strong committee was formed to ensure the show continues in August.
There was an overwhelming feeling that if it was not staged this year in continuity, the longrunning show could be lost forever.
The flower show will revert to Ayr Racecourse, a previous location, from loss- making Rozelle.
The volunteers who ran the Rozelle event threw in the towel after South Ayrshire Council refused to make- good continual losses.
The bulbous show had grown to such an extent that £ 70,000 was spent on tents and fencing – but the Ayrshire Horticultural Society were accused of intransigence when they refused to cut back.
There was just one dissenter at Ayr Town Hall on Friday when host John Scott MSP asked for a show of hands on a rescue.
John said: “You will have to cross each bridge as you come to it.
“But the show should be selfsufficient and therefore needs to cut its cloth accordingly. “It has got to be a team effort. “We really are in a hiatus but we have a hard core of enthusiasts here who can rescue this for the community.”
The committee was due to have its first meeting tonight ( Wednesday) and realise there is huge organisational work to be done over the next four months.
The exact date of the show is still to be confirmed and whether it will be over one or two days.
Traditionally, it had been held on the third week of August when many specimens reach a peak.
The show – likely to have an entry fee of around £ 5 rather than the current £ 15 – will be all about the fruit, flowers and veg. And not about folk trying to flog you hot tubs or sign up for a charity.
Racecourse facilities will provide food and drink and plenty of undercover space without spending on marquees.
Also attending the summit were Val Russell, chief executive of Ayrshire Chamber, and Annique Armstrong, Ayrshire director of VisitScotland.
Both organisations have pledged support.
Names confirmed for the new committee are Tony Collins of the Ayrshire Bonsai Society, Tom Brown ( begonias), John Hamilton ( roses), Albany McKay ( pansies and violas), Phil McAnespie ( to be confirmed), Ross Drummond ( chrysanthemum and dahlia), Sheena Stewart and Rosalind Stewart ( both floral art) and Kevan McCallum, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Robert Dalgleish ( social media) and a representative of the Ayrshire Chamber.
The meeting put on record their appreciation for what their predecessors the AHS had achieved and that it was “a matter of regret they were no longer able to do so.”
It is hoped all the trophies and silverware from the wide variety of flower and vegetables can be passed to the new committee.
The Ayrshire Post and its parent group Media Scotland have also pledged support for publicity and advertising as a media sponsor.