Ladies’ Day at flower show ‘bigger next year’

Aug 18 2007 by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Daily Post

200 tickets sold out for this year’s ‘highlight’ event

LADIES’ Day at Southport Flower Show was hailed a success yesterday, with organisers pledging to bring it back as an even bigger “summer highlight event” for women at next year’s show.

All 200 tickets were sold for the occasion, which ran for the second time this year as part of Britain’s largest independent flower show at Southport’s Victoria Park.

Organisers say they are planning to double the size of the women-only event next year, to satisfy the clamour of well-heeled females who yesterday learned make-up tips, accompanied by wine-tasting and a choreographed fashion show.

Southport Flower Show trustee Margaret Tarpey was instrumental in developing the event, which started in a large marquee at the 2006 show.

She said: “It’s our second year and we’ve grown.

“We had 200 tickets, which we sold out, and just couldn’t take in any more.

“We’re now looking to perhaps enlarge again next year because it’s been so popular.

“For the first time this year, we gave people the chance to upgrade their tickets so they can come to the show and Ladies’ Day event and then have a three- course meal afterwards.

Even the weather was kind to the thousands who attended the second day of the 78th Southport Flower Show main events yesterday, with queues stretching late into the afternoon.

It all provided the perfect setting for the return of popular TV gardener Diarmuid Gavin, who opened the show last year.

The Irishman was so struck by the quality of the horticultural event, and the honour of having a rose named after his daughter, Eppie, that he accepted the offer to become an official patron of the show.

Southport Flower Show chairman Ray Roukin said: “It was Diarmuid’s first year back as patron and his presentation was a total sell-out – we couldn’t get anybody else in the room – and when he was on the bandstand, the sides were completely packed out.”

Showing true Irish charm, the BBC Home Front star greeted the assembled Ladies’ Day audience with the words: “All the flowers are in this room”.

Today’s guest of honour is the flower of Emmerdale, Roxanne Pallett, who plays Jo Stiles in the ITV programme.

The Soapstar Superstar competitor would visit the show as a youngster with her grandmother and is looking forward to an emotional return.

In line with tradition, she will be presented with a deep red tea rose named her in honour.

Ms Pallett will be competing for attention with the David Bellamy Schools’ Competition winners, all of whom will see their garden designs brought to life by Brian Sutton Landscapes.

Working along the 2007 music theme, Merseyside will be represented by Wirral’s Laura Hall, creator of a magical chime garden.

Reflecting on the second day, Mr Roukin added: “We’ve been surprised by the weather which has been really good.

“There were even big queues outside the ice-cream vans, something I don’t think they were expecting in the morning.”