The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Centre set to bloom
TWO FIFE flower arrangers have found premises to create an exhibit for next year’s Chelsea Show, following an appeal in The Courier.
Valerie Davidson and Linda Soutar have ambitious plans to create a 16ft-high marine-themed display to go on show in the centre of the Great Pavilion, having been selected from 65,000 members of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS).
They will be the first Scots in 22 years to represent not-for-profit NAFAS at the competition, but have struggled to find a suitable place to work on the exhibit.
The Courier asked readers to come forward if they could offer premises and Fife businessman Robert Purvis duly obliged.
The 20ft-square, 16ft-high floral display entitled “Far Below the Sea Blooms”, will now be created at a business unit near Cavelstone Farm, Kinross, before it is dismantled and transported to Chelsea next May.
Valerie Davidson, from Dalgety Bay, who is leading a team of eight flower arrangers from all over Scotland, said: “We were looking for a white knight to support us in our quest to find a unit where the team could work.
“When all else failed, Bob Purvis rode up on his charger and saved the day.
“He is providing us with an excellent work space at Kinross which we will use from now until the end of May.
“It serves our purpose admirably and quite apart from that, he has offered further major support. We are extremely grateful to him.”
The group got together with Mr Purvis at Cavelstone Farm yesterday, where he handed over the keys.
“When I first met them and saw what they want to do I was very impressed,” he said. “They gave me an idea of what it was about and they were so enthusiastic.
“It’s quite sad that in central Scotland they struggled to find premises. This unit in Kinross is dry, clean and fresh. I think it’ll do the job.”
Ms Davidson added: “My team were delighted to meet Bob today as he is extremely helpful and positive to our cause.
“He came into this knowing nothing about our organisation and has embraced what we are trying to achieve.
“We look forward to working in a happy partnership with him.” Errol Horticultural Association will hold its annual open flower show in the Errol Community Centre on Saturday, August 25.
Exhibits will be received until 9pm on August 24 and again from 8am until 9.30am on the day itself.
Anyone wishing to enter floral art should contact the association secretary to advise of the classes in which they intend to compete by Friday, August 17.
The show will open at 1.30pm and will finish with the presentation of prizes, an auction and a raffle.
Schedules are available from local shops.