Society ensured the show would go on

TWENTY years ago Southport Flower Show was on its knees, but was rescued from oblivion by a group that went on to become Southport Horticultural Society.
With losses reaching an estimated £25,000 a year, the event that has since become the biggest independent show of its kind in the United Kingdom was facing closure.

But Southport Horticultural Society members stepped up to the plate, enthusiastically provided volunteers and now they are set to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
And they’re far from being all about the annual August extravaganza, as the group has evolved to become a valuable social resource, organising trips abroad, alongside a competitive element that sees them entering gardens in shows throughout the country.

Tom Bradshaw, vice-president of the society for 11 years, told LookBack: “The show would have gone. It was a decision by the council and I can understand why they made it. Sefton is a very diverse district of Merseyside, from the extremes of the south to the north, and the south needed a lot of support.
“The council’s wisdom was that there was more need for that financial support in the southern end of Sefton than in saving a flower show that was costing £25,000 a year. So I can understand the reasons, but on the other hand it was the flagship tourism event of Southport and it had to be saved for the sake of the town.
“The town has grown quite dramatically in relation to other seaside resorts and the Flower Show has helped to keep it on the map.�

Since 1987 the society has gone from strength to strength and now numbers around 100 regular members who try and make their Thursday meetings at the Royal Clifton Hotel.
They have entered extravagant floats in Southport Carnival, enjoy “galloping gourmets� at members’ houses and even scooped Best in Show at Meols Hall in 2005.
But perhaps they’ll always be defined by the sterling work they put in to gift Southport a nationally-renowned attraction.
Tom added: “It’s gratifying to see that we’ve successfully saved the show. We were always optimistic and we had support, strength and commitment that was so great that anything less than what we’ve achieved would have disappointed.�

* Southport Horticultural Society will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with dinner at the Scarisbrick Hotel next Thursday (March 15). The society meets on the third Thursday of every month at the Royal Clifton Hotel. All are welcome, members go free and the fee is 50p for non-members.
* Southport Flower Show, supported by the Southport Visiter, will this year take place from August 16-19.