Plans are blossoming for the new look Bristol Flower Show with added attractions, extra entertainment and more classes than ever before.
Celebrating its 61st year, the popular annual show has a firm tradition to uphold, a strong reputation to maintain and a large and loyal following. For this year’s new look show Bristol City Council has joined forces with the Bath & West Trading Company to produce a first class three day spectacular at Durdham Downs from August 19th – 21st.
The City Council team has a wealth of experience of years of involvement with the Show, while the Bath & West Trading Company is the commercial arm of the historic Royal Bath & West of England Society, running successful shows and events throughout the year at its Shepton Mallet base.
The show promises to offer something for everyone from the serious horticulturist to the person who just likes to potter, with a wealth of trade stands offering to meet every gardener’s needs from tools to seeds.
Show organisers are keen to welcome back everyone who has supported the show so well in the past and are appealing for all past competitors and newcomers eager to enter for the first time to contact them now for schedules.
There are competitions for handicrafts, cookery, and flower arranging as well as the normal flower, fruit and vegetable classes, plus a separate section for allotments, classes for children and the magnificent Floral Marquee.
Entertainment planned so far to delight all ages includes Morris dancing, bands, face-painting and a pianist playing in the Floral Marquee. And the popular ITV West Gardening Roadshow will be there offering a whole host of top tips from the experts.
Highlight of the opening day will be a grand midday reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Bristol in aid of BIBIC, the British Institute for Brain Injured Children. This is being supported by Sanders Gardens Centre, who have chosen the Bridgwater-based BIBIC as their chosen charity for the year. The reception offers a first class business and corporate hospitality opportunity for local organisations and firms as well as the ideal platform to help raise funds for a worthy cause.
Organisers are also pleased to welcome back once again St Peter’s Hospice who will be running a stand to help promote their fund-raising work.
Another new feature for this year is the Bristol City Garden Competition run in conjunction with the Bristol Evening Post. Entrants will be invited to send in a photograph of their garden which will then be judged and a presentation to the winner will be made during the Show.
A new Bristol City Garden Challenge Trophy will be presented by Mrs Sally Burke, in memory of her husband, the late Mr John Burke, who died suddenly last year. Mr Burke who lived at Bishops Sutton, near Bath, was one of the West’s most respected businessmen and charity supporters. He was well known in the community for his roles as chief executive and vice-chairman of the Bristol & West, and was awarded the OBE for his commitment to charity. He was also a director and honorary treasurer of the Royal Bath & West of England Society.
The Show is being sponsored by Bristol Blue Glass who are donating some of their beautiful glassware as prizes, commercial residential and agricultural property agents Knight Frank LLP who are sponsoring the programme and tickets, and Bristol-based Bart Spices Ltd who are sponsoring the children’s competitions at the Show.