Flower show factfile
IT’S one of the biggest horticultural events in the country. Southport Flower Show has been running since 1924 and is the largest independent event of its kind in the UK, attracting around 80,000 visitors each year with a more relaxed, informal feel than many of its competitors. When is the show this year? This year’s Southport Flower Show takes place from August 18 to 21, making four days of fragrant floral treats for everyone. Where does it take place? The show is returning to its usual site in Victoria Park. You’ll find it on Rotten Row which despite its name is one of the most pleasant thoroughfares in the town. What are the highlights this year? Ladies Day is always popular and takes place on the Friday of the show. It includes an award for the best-dressed lady in attendance. As ever, the competition element of the show will be keenly contested between amateur growers, with all entries on display in a 100m-long marquee. In the food marquee, professional chefs will show off their skills to visitors while demonstrating how to cook their signature dishes. On the entertainment front, the kids will love meeting CBeebies’ Mr Bloom while there are also displays from stunt motorcyclists, birds of prey and the H&M dog team. You can also sit back and enjoy live music from the choirs and bands performing throughout the festival. Who is opening the show this year? TV chef and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ainsley Harriott. Which other celebs can I expect to see? Understandably, the big names at the show come from the field of horticulture: Gardener’s World presenter Carol Klein will be at the show on the opening day. Her co-presenter Joe Swift will be at Victoria Park on the Friday and Saturday. Show patrons Matthew Wilson and Professor Stefan Buczacki will also be there on opening day, August 18. TV gardening expert David Domoney will be showing us how to love our gardens on the Friday and The One Show’s Christine Walkden will meet visitors on Sunday, the final day of the show. Where do I park? There is ample parking at the showground (use the postcode PR8 1RX in your sat-nav) at an all-day rate of £6. How much does it cost to get in? There are numerous ticket packages available, a day ticket (to be used on any of the four days) costs £19 and can be bought in advance from the Flower show website. A new ticket for this year, incorporating a three-course lunch, is £25, while a pass for all four days is £55. Does the show have a theme this year? There certainly is, an annual theme being a long-standing tradition of the show. This year, the Flower Show aims to have an air of the Mediterranean. What else can I see at the show? If you’re interested in getting valuable advice on keeping your garden or allotment at its best, then this is the place to be. There are also exhibitors from businesses selling the latest in labour-saving devices for your garden – and there’s usually an opportunity to buy a hot tub for your patio, too. Don’t forget the big sell-off of all the plants – this begins at 4pm on the final day, Sunday, signalled by a loud bell ringing across the showground. Finally, can I bring my dog? Only accredited assistance dogs can enter the showground.