Shrewsbury Flower Show 2016: Top acts and activities not to be missed
The annual spectacular that is the Shrewsbury Flower Show returns once again this weekend - and there's loads of top acts, displays and activities to enjoy.
The show is one of the country's Premier Flower Show events, attracting top exhibitors from all over the UK. The theme for 2016 is Land of Hope and Glory.
While the two-day festival boasts many great attractions, we take a look at the top acts and displays not to be missed:
Acts:
Gizzi Erskine
Celebrity chef Gizzi Erskine is set to bring her edgy attitude and passion for culinary success to Shrewsbury Flower Show.
Having trained at Leith's School of Food and Wine in 2003, Gizzi graduated the top of her year and won a placement at BBC Good Food magazine. Here she started to establish herself as an award winning food writer.
She went on to release Gizzi's Kitchen Magic, Cook Yourself Thin, Skinny Weeks and Weekend Feasts and her latest chart-topping release Gizzi's Healthy Appetite by Octopus.
Her career in TV started with Cook Yourself In and led onto appearances in Iron Chef, Cookery School and Drop Down amongst others.
Leanne Garvey, Chairperson of the Trade and Catering Committee said that: "I am thrilled and delighted that Gizzi has agreed to attend the Shrewsbury Flower Show on August 12th and 13th this year and I am sure her style and enthusiasm will give great entertainment".
Sarah Raven
The Shropshire Horticultural Society organisers have announced that the celebrity gardening guest this year for Shrewsbury Flower Show will be Sarah Raven.
Raven is known for her work in broadcasting, journalism, public speaking and teaching on varying subjects including gardening, flower arranging and cooking.
Sarah writes regularly for various publications including The Daily Telegraph, Country Living, Gardens Illustrated, Gardeners' World Magazine, The English Garden magazine and Sainsbury's Magazine as well as her books winning her various awards such as Best Specialist Gardening book for The Cutting Garden and Cookery Book of the Year for Sarah Raven's Garden Cookbook.
Society Secretary Simon Badrock said: "Sarah's wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for gardening will make for a very educational and instructive 2016 Flower Show".
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Musical Ride
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment last performed in Shrewsbury at the 2010 Flower Show and they are now back in 2016 for both days of the event.
At The Royal Tournament in 1882, a mounted display team from the Household Cavalry performed a series of manoeuvres to music. This display became known as the Household Cavalry Musical Ride and is designed to demonstrate the type of horsemanship used by the Regiment in the days when it still fought on horseback.
Eight soldiers from each of the Life Guards and The Blues and Royals form the core of the ride, dressed exactly as they are for full state ceremonial events.
The Chairman of the Society, Stephen Kynaston, stated that: "we welcome such a prestigious military unit to Shrewsbury for this year's Show and expect them to be a very popular attraction and significant addition to our line-up".
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Since winning the top prize on TV show When Will I Be Famous in 2007 The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have become a global phenomenon.
From their formation in 2002, the band have gone on to sell out headline tours across the USA, build up three million hits on Youtube through their cover of Avicii hit Wake Me Up, playing at the opening ceremony of the Ryder Cup and also the National Anthem for the Scottish Football Team and supporters at Hampden Park for their match against Germany.
The band have also played Andy Murray and the GB Davies Cup Team onto the court for their semi final against Australia at the Emirates Arena and Glasgow as well as playing for the Scottish Rugby Team and supporters during the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Simon Badrock, Shropshire Horticultural Society Secretary said: "We are very lucky to have the The Red Hot Chilli Pipers entertaining the crowds again on Friday evening. The evening of the Flower Show has a reputation for having a wonderful atmosphere and great entertainment and The Red Hot Chilli Pipers most certainly put on a show guaranteed to amaze any audience. They are a genuinely unique experience".
The Christians
Hailing from Liverpool, the Saturday night band for this year's show is The Christians.
They are famed for their soulful yet socially aware hits and enjoyed acclaim in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and are currently undergoing a revival with tours across the UK and Europe to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
They have also released a brand new 10-track album entitled WE.
The Chairman of the Shropshire Horticultural Society and Flower Show, Stephen Kynaston, commented that "The Christians are old favourites of mine and I will be pleased to see them on the Saturday evening of the Show. They should follow the tradition of having memorable high quality acts at the Show".
Displays:
Show jumping (Friday and Saturday)
Friday will see the The Shrewsbury Challenge Stakes, The Veolia Area Trial and The Frank Tanner Memorial Cup and Saturday sees the Pony Club Inter-branch Jumping Competition, The Shrewsbury Flower Show Championship and finally the The Lanyon Bowdler Grand Prix
Army Section Display (Friday and Saturday)
D (SY) Squadron, The Royal Yeomanry are an Army Reserve unit based in Telford at the Army Reserve Centre at Dawley Bank will be performing a section attack in the Main Arena on both days of the Show.
The audience will be able to see soldiers with authentic weapons who will advance on an enemy location, whilst receiving covering fire from two RWMIK's. Once they have overrun the position they will retrieve the hostage and make a hasty retreat to a safe location.
Forge Falconry (Friday and Saturday)
Chris Neal, a falconer with a great number of years experience in demonstrating birds of prey, will be representing Forge Falconry at this year's show.
The free flying demonstrations on the arena demonstrate hawks, owls and falcons in free flight and will be accompanied by informative commentary.
There will also be a static display at the event where the birds can be viewed when not being flown and Chris will be on hand to talk to visitors and answer your burning questions.
Biddulph Male Voice Choir (Friday)
Performing on the Friday of the event, the Biddulph Male Voice Choir has a reputation for choral excellence and has raised thousands of pounds for charities both at home and abroad.
In competition the choir has gained prizes at events such as Llangollen International Eisteddfod, and contests at Blackpool, Nelson, Freckleton, Morecambe, Bourneville and Derby.
Of One Accord Choir (Saturday)
As well as frequently performing at birthday, wedding and christmas functions, Of One Accord Choir tirelessly raise money for various charities, sometimes inviting other choirs, brass bands and young people from local school choirs and ensembles to perform with them.
The choir achieved registered charity status in February 2009 and this year, choir members have voted to support the "Good Companions Club", based in Shrewsbury, for adults with learning disabilities.
Fireworks (Friday and Saturday)
As a finale for both days of the festival, a fireworks display will be staged for spectators produced by the same company who provided fireworks for the London 2012 Olympics.
Programmes:
Various interactive talks are set to be held across both days to educate participants on various aspects of the horticultural world. These include but are not limited to:
Unusual edible plants - Lecture marquee - 1pm - with Chris Smith - Friday and Saturday
Floral art staging - Dingle marquee - 10.15-10.45 - Pat Hutchinson BSC Med (National NAFAS Judge) - Friday
Flower Arranging Purely for Pleasure - Lecture marquee - Anita Wright (NAFAS Demonstrator) - Friday and Saturday
Gardeners question time panel - Lecture marquee - 2pm - Sarah Raven, Jim Buttress, Mark Wasilewski and Dave Jones, with MC Alan Wilding - Friday and Saturday
The Cutting Patch: Grow Your Own Cut Flowers - 3pm - Lecture marquee - Sarah Raven - Friday and Saturday
Floral Art Judging - Dingle marquee - 2.45-3.15pm - Sarah Wood (Area NAFAS Judge) - Saturday
The Art of Bonsai - Dingle marquee - 3.30-4pm - Shropshire Bonsai Society - Saturday
And finally, for the little ones:
This year to celebrate the anniversary of the births of Beatrix Potter and Roald Dahl - Mr. Boom, Malcolm Malan and Jack the Jester will all be returning to the show bringing new shows and new circus workshops.
Freelance illustrator Emma Lawrence is keen to nourish children's creative flair and is hosting a special bug trail where participators can discover character's from her books, with prizes to be found too.
Circus skills workshops will be running all day, and the arts and crafts marquee. David Hatfield will be hosting the children's planting, and this year children can decorate their own plant pot in the arts and craft tent and then plant their plants into it.
Walford College will be bringing a kit car and animals for children to look at, and Chucks N Ducks are bringing chickens and ducks.
There will also be wood and soap carving, balloon modelling, a bouncy castle, a carousel and floral train created by local school pupils.
