This year’s flower show will have an oriental theme - from the food to the flowers
There will be an oriental flavour to this year’s Southport Flower Show, a four day feast of flowers, food, design, arts, crafts, entertainment and shopping.
Each year, the largest independent flower show in the country choses a theme and this year it is China and this will be reflected in all aspects of the event, giving the garden designers plenty of scope for imaginative displays.
The show, in Victoria Park from August 20-23, will have a star-studded opening with TV gardener Joe Swift, chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and actor Sherrie Hewson, who has appeared in Emmerdale and on the panel of Loose Women.
‘This summer’s event will be a real treat for the senses with so much to explore, it’s set to be a great day out,’ said Ray Roukin, general manager.
‘Visitors can experience everything from stunning floral displays and show gardens, guaranteed to inspire your creativity, to tasty treats. There will also be masterclasses and demonstrations where visitors can pick up plenty of tips and advice from the experts.’
Live music will be a key element of the show with the bandstand featuring performances from male voice choirs, brass bands, swing bands and singers.
At the centre of the showground will be a purpose-built arena boasting a range of spectacular entertainments including birds of prey, dog displays and circus acts. There’s also a ‘pop up’ shopping village, with over 350 stalls offering everything from art and crafts to items for the home and garden.
Ray added: ‘The show isn’t just about gardening and food. With over 350 independent stalls, we really do offer a unique shopping experience with a vast range of products from garden sundries to plants, crafts, food, clothes and cars.’
The show has its own ‘Food Village’ where visitors will have the opportunity to try the creations from some of the region’s finest producers. There is a cooking theatre where top chefs can display their skills in live cookery demonstrations.
Jean-Christophe Novelli will be holding his own show cookery demonstrations at the Food Village and will be touring the show to meet visitors and exhibitors.
As well as Joe Swift, celebrity gardeners confirmed for the show include Channel 4’s ‘Landscape Man’ Matthew Wilson, Jim Buttress, expert on BBC 2’s Big Allotment Challenge and former royal gardener, and Christine Walkden, the BBC One Show resident gardening expert and panel member on BBC Radio 4’s Gardener’s Question Time. w
Day tickets for the show cost just £18 if bought in advance and children under the age of 16 go free. To book visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk or call 01704 547147.
