THIS year’s Southport Flower show promises to be the greenest yet.
The event, which takes place from August 18-21 is minimising its carbon footprint, and celebrating the best of eco-gardening.
David Jackson, chief executive of Southport Flower Show, said: “We have recycled all of our waste since 2009, we are positioned right by the eco-centre so there are bike parking and loan facilities there and we have special partnerships with Merseyrail and Northern Rail for tickets so people can leave the car at home.
“Then, of course, you can look at all the green traders we have, selling sustainable and ecologically-minded products at the show.”
This year’s show is a chance to stroll down memory lane, through gardens of the past.
Mr Jackson said: “One of the biggest things about this year's show is the vintage theme, which will see the show take visual and cultural influences from design classics of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
“This will manifest itself in many exciting ways, and has given creative traders and exhibitors a wealth of interesting ways to approach the show.
“We also have more outdoor gardens than ever before, and our food village continues to grow in size and stature.
“Southport and District Allotment Association will teach people the wonders of 'yardening'. Yardening is a craze that has come over from the USA, where people make use of whatever they can get their hands on to grow vegetables, fruit and herbs.”
It seems in the last few years there's been an increase in the number of people who are growing their own.
Mr Jackson added: “If you think back to five years ago, there wasn't year-long waiting lists for allotments, people weren't considering installing solar panels on their homes.
“This is all relatively new to the mainstream, and at Southport Flower show we've recognised that and we make a point of helping people further these aims. It doesn't mean that everyone will go away and start living the 'good life' and being entirely self sufficient, but if everyone had a go at growing one thing, they'd see how rewarding it can be.”
Find out more at www.southportflowershow.co.uk.
