Flower Show has the Wow Factor

Take five hundred flower arrangers, give them around £100,000 worth of flowers and that will give you an idea of the scale and spectacle, not to mention the scent that will await you at the flower arranging world’s biggest annual show.

This is the flower show with wow factor and it’s coming to the south west later this month (Sept). It’s the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies’ annual show and it’s paying a rare visit to the south west., being held for the first time at Torquay’s Riviera International Conference Centre. To see anything remotely like it, you’d have to travel to the Chelsea flower show to see the like of its colour and scale.

The show rotates to different areas of the UK so it’s a rare chance to see something so spectacular on the doorstep.

The exhibitors represent 1300 flower clubs around the UK as well as competitors travelling from Pakistan, India, Ireland, Malta and Kenya.

‘It’s a show for all ages,’ said show press officer Margaret Marriott “. A lot of people think flower arranging is confined to older women with time on their hands, but they would be very wrong. You’ll find entries from men, women and children of all ages. The competition is fierce and the prizes hotly contested.’

Amongst the eye-catching entries this year is a cupcakes theme for junior classes. Meanwhile the adults will be battling it out in 22 classes, in every size and hue with intriguing titles for interpretation such as Dichotomy, Halycon Days, Pellucid, and Destination Unknown.

Whilst some competitors aspire to a career in floristry, other members of NAFAS find their way into the global spotlight. One of their duties is to arrange flowers for key services, and state occasions, at Westminster Abbey. The National Officers were delighted, when the Chairman Norma Dobney received a call to help with the flowers for the Royal Wedding in April. Equally they had also been delighted to decorate the Abbey, the previous September, for the visit of Pope Benedict, when he made his historic visit to England, attending and participating in a service. They will all be in attendance at the National Show in Torquay, in support of the team staging the show

THE NAFAS ANNUAL SHOW RUNS FROM THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 22 UNTIL SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24 AT THE RIVIERA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, TORQUAY.