Poole Flower Show to run in August, sponsored by Compton Acres and in aid of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care
The long-standing Poole Flower Show is to relaunch, post the pandemic, and will run over 2 days from 27th – 28th August at the Hamworthy Club, Magna Rd, Canford Magna, in Poole.
Sponsored by Compton Acres, the popular show will be raising funds for its local community hospice, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care to help them support patients and their loved ones with life limiting illnesses in Poole, East Dorset and Purbeck.
Poole Flower Show is being organised by husband-and-wife team, David and Pam Bassil, who have done so for over 20 years now.
David said, “The show has been a part of the local show calendar for many years and everyone is thrilled that the flower show is restarting as it’s been sorely missed, as we were forced to abandon it during covid times.
“Exhibitors are already growing flowers in advance of the show. There will be different classes for judging, including; flowers, fruit and vegetables, floral arrangements and pot plants. There will be 139 different classes and lots of trophies to award!”
“There will also be handicraft, cookery and children’s classes.
“Poole Flower Show is very fortunate to have some well-known local faces to assist with judging. Names include Dahlias judge, Gwynne Davis, who’s a renowned horticulturist.
“John Lockwood will be judging the Fruit and Vegetables categories. He is a former horticultural officer at Poole Council with a breadth of knowledge and passion for his subject.
“Marion Martin will judge Pot Plants and Cut Flowers categories. She’s a long-standing judge who also runs the Busy Bees gardening club on Canford Heath.”
Bernard Merna, owner of Compton Acres said, “Compton Acres are honoured and excited to be sponsoring Poole Flower Show and supporting the great work of a fantastic local charity, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care. As well as bringing joy, growing plants, flowers and vegetables has many therapeutic benefits and this event celebrates local horticulturalists and their achievements.”
Lewis-Manning’s Fundraising Manager, Vicki Gray, said, “We are delighted that Poole Flower Show has chosen Lewis-Manning Hospice Care as their charity partner and we welcome our whole community to get involved and enjoy this long-standing, local event.“
David added, “The last date for entering the competition will be 3 days before the show and it is hoped that the level of interest that was achieved in 2019 will be matched.”
David is also a member and show manager of ‘Bournemouth in Bloom the Bournemouth Horticultural Society’, Parkstone Gardener’s Society and involved in 2 other flowers shows for charity each year.
To find out more and to enter, contact David dcbassil@tiscali.co.uk
David concluded, “Poole Flower Show was a regular summer event from the 1890s to 1970s. The show had become very large and popular, mainly due to the enthusiasm of Ernest Gale the Chief Officer of the Parks Department at that time and who was also known as Mr Poole Flower Show! A decade then past and in 1985 a revived show was put in place and this show has been held regularly for charity ever since, at a number of different venues. Covid stopped shows for 2020 and 2021 and I am pleased to say that we are now holding the event this year for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.”