14 November 2008

Advertising in show programmes launched

Taunton Flower Show has announced the rates for advertising in its competitive and main schedules

The main Flower Show programme is in A4 portrait, full colour magazine format which has a print run of 3,000. 1,000 copies are sent to our 1600 Members, 500 are sent to traders, sponsors and the press, with the remaining 1,500 being sold to our visitors over the two days of the Show.

Advertising rates range from £25 up to £400 (for a full A4 page) and as such represent tremendous value for money and enables you to reach exactly the right target audiences.

We can design you adverts for you for a small additional charge - please contact us for details.

For further details, please contact the show secretary

29th October 2008

Traders information and application forms

The Show Committee invites traders to apply for an Outside Trade Stand at our 2009 Show – application forms are now available for download which should be completed and returned by the closing date of 31st January 2009. Completed applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to those stands with a horticultural bias; the Jim Harnell cup is awarded for the Best Horticultural Outside Trade Stand. General information for traders and application forms are now available from our traders download centre. If you have any further questions about being a trader at the show, then please contact the show secretary.

13th October 2008

Membership of Taunton Flower Show

Due to rising costs beyond our control, we have reluctantly had to increase membership subs for 2009. However, we know that membership represents exceptional value for money. Any subscriptions that were paid at the 2008 show and up to 31st October 2008 will not be liable to any increase. Any subscriptions paid after 1st November 2008 will be at the new rate. 2009 Membership will close on June 1st 2009 any applications or renewals after this date will not be accepted. A reminder to all our members - membership cards are not transferable. They must only be used by the member who has a current subscription, they must not be “loaned” to friends and family.

Benefits of membership:

Free entry to Show on both days* Early admission from 10 am on first day; Use of Members' Refreshment Marquee; Free parking in members car park; Free Show Programme and membership cards mailed to your door in June; Free entry in individual competitive classes; Members Supper following the Show ticket application included in June mailing; Periodic informative newsletters and mailings; Membership card entitling the bearer to 10% reduction at Blackdown Garden Centre.

2009 rates

Single Adult £13.00 (£12 if paid by direct debit)

Husband & Wife / Partner Joint £19.00 (£18 if paid by direct debit)

Young Person (aged under 17) £3.00

Membership application forms can be downloaded from the members page

5th September 2008

Image Gallery of 2008 launched

Taunton Flower Show has published a gallery of images of more than 100 pictures of the show on its website. Showing a real taste of this unique Summer event, the pictures were taken by the show's roving photographer and also by Mr Jim Cole. Click on this link tobe taken to the gallery.

19 August 2008

Flower show volunteers receive "thank you" party

TAUNTON Flower Show is organising a special ‘thank you’ party for its volunteers at a Somerset garden centre next Wednesday (August 27, 2008). Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre is hosting the evening to celebrate the efforts of the volunteers who helped in the running of this year’s flower show, which was held on August 1 and 2.

Mike Welch, Chief Steward at Taunton Flower Show, said: “Taunton Flower Show would almost be impossible to run without the significant help given by more than 150 volunteers.

“The running of the show depends on every single one of the willing helpers. We need volunteers to help in different areas like the marquees and the box office.

“It’s kind of Monkton Elm to provide a venue so we can thank the volunteers. Staff at the garden centre are also staying on to allow guests to have a look around at the plants. Members of the flower show committee are providing refreshments to the guests.”

People attending the thank-you party will be able to listen to a horticultural talk by Andrew Pitman, the Plant Manager at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre. Joining Norma Moore, General Manager at the garden centre, and Andrew in entertaining guests will be Adrian Prior-Sankey, Taunton Flower Show’s Vice-Chairman and Marketing Director, who will be showing ‘behind-the-scenes’ pictures taken at the show.

Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield between Bridgwater and Taunton. For more information, please call the garden centre on 01823 412381 or visit www.monkton-elm.co.uk.

2 August 2008

Jenny Short Garden Design and Lynn Avery win Ready Steady GARDEN!

By a close margin, Jenny Short has won Friday's Ready Steady GARDEN competition where designers have to make a garden from scratch in 2 hours using plants supplied by local garden centres.

The competition was judged by Dr Stefan Buczacki who said that he had changed his mind about the which garden should win half a dozen times in the two hours they were being built. Jenny was presented with the new Cann Cup which has been donated by Mrs Christin Cann in memory of her husband, William Cann.

The competition was run again on Saturday 2nd August using the same plants as were used on Friday. Saturday's competition was won by Mrs Lynn Avery, and the runner up was Daniel Bere from Bridgwater College. [2 August 2008]

1 August 2008

Flower Show opens in sunshine....and showers

Taunton Flower Show 2008 has officially been opened and saw a good attendance today, Friday. Amid sunshine and showers, visitors enjoyed the floral marquee, the record number of entries in the competition tent and exciting arena events.

The list of prize winners and cups can be downloaded here

29 July 2008

Taunton Flower Show's gift to Royal Marines

Organisers of Taunton Flower Show have announced that they are to acknowledge the bravery and good service of 40 Commando Royal Marines based in the town by granting the service personnel and their families free admission to the 2008 event. Royal Marines and their families will be able to obtain complimentary passes to the show which takes place on Friday and Saturday 1 & 2 August in Vivary Park, Taunton.

The Mayor of Taunton Deane, Councillor Tim Slattery, will make the announcement on behalf of the Flower Show in his address to the Royal Marines during their Homecoming Parade and drumhead service in the town centre on Thursday 31 July. Taunton Flower Show Chairman, Lt. Colonel Bob Homeshaw, spoke on behalf of the event’s organising team, saying, "Taunton Flower Show has a deep appreciation of Taunton's military heritage, not least because our showground is located in the shadow of the former Jellalabad Barracks. The organising team feel it is very fitting that we should provide some tangible acknowledgement of the outstanding good service rendered in Afghanistan by the present day service personnel from our community. I am delighted to be able to extend a warm welcome to the show to 40 Commando Royal Marines and their immediate family members. The two-day event strives to provide fun and horticultural excellence for people of all ages and we hope that a good number of them will be able to enjoy a relaxing day as special guests of the show.”

Fun and Flowers remain at the heart of the south west’s premier horticultural event. The ‘Ready, Steady, Garden’ competition unique to Taunton Flower Show will run on both days. The English Garden Roadshow makes a welcome return with an impressive panel of experts chaired by ITV’s Peter Rowell presenter to answer questions from show visitors. Younger visitors will be entertained within a ‘Child’s Play’ sector featuring a safari challenge based on a Noah’s Ark theme.

25 July 2008

Work starts in Vivary Park

Work has started amid the glory of full summer sun to erect the massive marquees in Vivary Park. As of Saturday morning, the huge Competition marquee and the impressive floral marquee were up and work had started to erect the smaller tents. Competitive entries closed at mid-day on 25 July and we are please to annouce that this year there have been a record- breaking 1730 entries in the competitive classes from a staggering 354 competitors ranging from scout and brownie packs through allotment holders, photographers and wine makers to the highly skilled floral art entrants. Competitive entries coordinator, Ian Coleby, said "We are hugely pleased at the level of competitive entries this year. Entries in the novice vegetable growers classes have more than doubled since last year and the new prestigious photography challenge class is fully subscribed. This looks as if it could be one of the best years for a long time in the competition marquee." [25 July 2008]

26 June 2008

Evening Cabaret Performance

As has become the tradition, the day after the Flower Show closes, the competitive marquee is used for an evening of cabaret entertainment. This year we are pleased to announce that the glamorous act "Shoo Shoo Baby" will be the entertainment.

Following the success of their stunning show "From Berlin to Broadway" they now return to Taunton with their new show "Delicious"

You can expect terrific singing, fantastic arrangements and more costume changes than a Diana Ross concert. The show music includes "Big Spender", "Wind Beneath My Wings", "Tea For Two" and many others from Puccini to Mozart.

The Show is held on Sunday 3rd August at 8pm in the main marquee. Tickets are £14 per person. You can sample Shoo Shoo Baby on their website [26 June 2008]

24 May 2008

Competitive Classes Newsletter Published

First Division, the newsletter of the Competitive Classes has been published. Everyone who entered the show last year or who has been sent a schedule in the post will now be sent a copy of the newsletter. The newsletter contains items of interest to those who enter the competitive classes at the show. You can download a copy of the newsletter at this link. If you would like to know more about entering the competitive classes, please refer to the competitive classes page. [24 May 2008]

24 May 2008

Tickets go on sale at Taunton Tourist Information Centre

Taunton Flower Show is pleased to announce that tickets for the 2008 show can now be purchased at the Taunton Tourist Information Centre. Buying in advance not only saves you time, but also means you avoid the queues that may form on the opening day, meaning you can get into the show quicker. Tickets bought in advance qualify for a 10% discount.

Admission prices can be seen on our admissions page.[24 May 2008]

13 May 2008

BUY ONE TICKET AND GET ONE FREE OFFER WITH WESTERN DAILY PRESS

GREEN-FINGERED readers of the Western Daily Press could save £££s on the tickets to the show. But you will need to be quick as the offer is limited to the first 1500 applications and with the show being so popular there are bound to be lots of people applying. The offer is that when you buy one adult ticket and get one free saving £8 or £9 depending on the day you choose to visit. All you have to do is fill in the coupon that will be printed in the Western Daily Press in the week commencing 19 May and collect two differently numbered tokens. Send these with an SAE to Flower Show, Wendy Best, Group Commercial Editor, Western Daily Press, Temple Way, Bristol, BS99 7HD. Cheques should be made payable to Taunton Flower Show. Your tickets will be sent to you before the show. Full details and the application form will be in the Western Daily Press in the week commencing 19 May. [13 May 2008]

25 April 2008

Flower Show is officially launched!

Taunton Flower Show 2008 has been officially launched at a reception held at Wyevale Garden Centre. Members of the organising committee met with press and media to celebrate one of the most prestigious events in the County’s calendar. Flower Show chairman Bob Homeshaw said "The event has settled into its new Friday & Saturday format very well. The organisers have continued working hard to enhance all aspects of the Show, which is, once again, one of the most prestigious events in the County’s calendar. With the country’s foremost horticultural expert, Professor Stefan Buczacki, among the visitors we are confident that the 2008 event has an appeal for everyone whether they garden on a window sill or the grandest stately home. There is truly something for all ages and the competitions for novices and nationally-acclaimed designers offer dozens of certificates and cups and nearly £4,000 in financial prizes." [25 April 2008]

25 April 2008

Press and Media Pack Available

Taunton Flower Show has made available a press and media pack. This includes news items and images and background information about the show for all news media. To access the pack please visit the press and media page. For further information please contact Adrian Prior-Sankey. [25 April 2008]

17 March 2008

Ready, Steady Garden!

We are pleased to announce that the popular Ready Steady Garden event will make a welcome reappearance at this year's show. The concept of this is simple: Two gardeners are allowed to select £500 worth of plants from a local garden centre. They then return to the showground and have just TWO HOURS in order to make a garden completely from scratch using these plants. This innovative event was launched at Taunton Flower Show last year, the worthy winner being Kath Crouch and the runner up Sally Leaney. The show is grateful to Wyevale Garden Centre and Blackdown Nurseries for sponsoring the 2008 event. [17 March 2008]

28 January 2008

Stefan Buczacki to visit Taunton Flower Show

Stefan Buczacki's name has been a by-word for the most trusted horticultural advice for well over twenty years. With his academic excellence, professional standing and a portfolio of nearly two thousand radio and television appearances (including many featuring his own garden), countless newspaper and magazine articles and over fifty books, he has an unrivalled grasp of what British gardeners need and want from their gardens. He has probably seen more gardens and met more gardeners in this country than almost anyone else and has also travelled the world and absorbed the best gardening knowledge and influences from other continents.

We are therefore honoured to welcome Professor Buczacki to Taunton Flower Show in 2008. During his visit to us on Friday 1st August Stefan has kindly agreed to help us as by judging one or two prestigious aspects of the event and to enjoy the opportunity to engage with our patrons and exhibitors around the showground. You can visit Stefan's website here. [28 January 2008]

21 January 2008

Arena Events Confirmed

The main arena events for 2008 have now been confirmed. The following exciting events have bene confirmed and more will be posted on the events page as they are booked:

The Essex Dog Display Team: An exciting event featuring a team of highly trained dogs. The central feature of the display is a 100ft long by 9ft high ramp, which the dogs negotiate at high speed through hoops of fire, also on the ramp a unique demonstration of dogs negotiating human obstacles. Controlled attack dogs apprehend fleeing ‘criminals’ whilst under gunfire. Searching and retrieving and agility races, are just a few of the exercises included.

Adams Axemen: The team's aim is to provide demonstrations of the skills of the forester and lumberjack in a manner that is both entertaining and educational to the public and enjoyable to themselves. The demonstrations consist of all aspects of log axing, springboard chopping and cross cut sawing.

City of Bristol Pipes & Drums: The City of Bristol Pipes & Drums are the premier Highland Pipe Band in the Bristol area, combining the experience and expertise of former Scots Guards Pipers, with the drive and enthusiasm of contemporary musicians, playing quality bagpipes and drums, to provide a musical experience for all tastes and occasions.

[21 January 2008]