Grey skies fail to put off flower show fans
Saturday 16th August 2008, 11:50AM BST.
Grey skies failed to deter thousands of people heading to the second day of Shrewsbury’s world-renowned flower show today.
Crowds poured steadily through the gates of the Quarry Park and organisers were hoping to match or exceed yesterday’s turnout of about 35,000 people.
Click here for our photo gallery from day one
Officials from Shropshire Horticultural Society have hailed yesterday as “exceptional”.
Peter Road-Night, show secretary, said: “There was some apprehension about how we would fare on day two, traditionally the most popular day of the show, because of an adverse weather forecast.
“But by early afternoon it was clear that this had not deterred the crowds and we were very much encouraged by the numbers coming through the gate.
“It is clear we are heading for a highly successful two days.” The show jumping was one event entertaining the crowds today. One competitor was Ellen Whitaker, who would have been taking part in the Beijing Olympics with her horse Lacarno if he had not been injured.
Show judges praised the standard of exhibits and hailed this year’s event as “showing the way in British horticulture”.
Among star guests today was celebrity chef James Martin who was giving cookery demonstrations.
A spectacular display of fireworks closed the first day, lighting up the sky with colour.
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I dont want to be a moaner but why are the fireworks so loud? Its unnecessary, fire works can be made just as pretty without the loud bangs. Every year my dog has the runs all over the house. Pehaps the organiser might like to consider their neighbours.
How wud they like it if I let off explosions next to their house late at night and pushed dog poop through their letter box?
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This is only for twice a year. Don’t complain and spoil peoples enjoyment.
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its twice a year!! what about bonfire night should we all stop fireworks because of your dog?? i have a cat but we just keep him in an put the tv a little louder. the show has been going for years im sure you knew that when you moved there!!!! ask the vet for some doggy immodium!!
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Quite fireworks… hmmm…. buy your dog ear-defenders then and yes Lucy W you are a moaner!
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quiet fireworks, whats all that about.
perhaps they could make them a bit darker while they’re at it.
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Lucy I agree – I have 2 cats and its not just twice a year fireworks go off.
In telford the fireworks for bonfire night start a night before and finish a month after B F night.
Fireworks should be banned.
Imagine if a bird is flying at night, minding his own business then next thing he has a huge firework going off in his rear end.
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Lucy W & Y Mab Darogan.
I’ve been laughing for at least 20 minutes after your posts, seems like your pets are more important than thousands of peoples enjoyment!! get a life or is that not a politically correct response. good wishes from sunny Thailand!!
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And another thing, I get empty fireworks landing in my garden, yet if dropped an apple core in the street there would be hell to pay.
Perhaps this could be the fly-tippers solution, strap your rubbish a massive fire work and let it land anywhere and say “Dont spoil peoples enjoyment” when someone objects!
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And Y Mab, ur r very correct. Owls fly at night and they are protected species.
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Exactly Lucy. I walk quite a bit and quite often around fireworks time I will find dead birds on the floor with a firework about 10 – 20 meters away – well a spent firework.
Yet as birds are not considered people don’t mind the harm and damage they are doing to these poor creatures.
We get told to keep our pets inside when fireworks are let off but does anyone actually think about the damage caused to wild animals by fireworks
As for enjoyment – unless your under the age of 12 I fail to see how adults can get so much enjoyment from fireworks.
If however you do find find fireworks enjoyable – you may wish to consider enlisting in the army and seeking a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan
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i’m over 12 and get immense pleasure from fireworks, as do 1000′s who stay behind just to watch them and their spirits lifted by them.
I expect our 2 killjoys must lead such a dull life, and probably would complain about a beautiful sunset hurting their eyes!
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Are you two taking the mick or just demented?? next you will want to ban the flower show because you your dog is sick because of the smell of the flowers!
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Lucy and Y Mab Darogan – You seem to be forgetting that many people come into Shrewsbury especially to watch the fireworks, whether it be into the showground itself or to the local pubs, or just into the area. Thus bringing revenue into the town, which is much needed.
And as for fireworks on bonfire night, it doesn’t really last that long, keeps your pets well inside and go otuside yourself and enjoy it like everyone else!!
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Its not fireworks Y Mab keeps hearing in telford, Its cars being torched ! As for the Afghanistan comment, that really does show how ignorant and stupid some people are !
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Richard: I regularly see sunrises and sunsets in the Welsh mountains in the winter snow. It is spectacular – makes fireworks look pathetic. If you got out a bit more u mite enjoy the beauty of the natural world and not need such pathetic entertainmeant as watch airborne explosions.
Kay. I have hay fever so dont go to flowers. Simple. But fireworks are inflicted on me against my will.
FS: Alot of people come to town to get drunk and fight, is that ok on economic grounds? And what about all the massage parlours (brothels) we have? People travel from far a field for them and they bring in lots of money to our economy!
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There are no more people fighting in town during the flower show days than any other time. I was born in Shrewsbury and most of my friends go back for the flower show who would not usually go back. If you have ever been in a packed Boathouse to watch the fireworks, you will have noticed is more about people getting together for a good evening. Obviously you are under the impression that everyone who ventures out after dark is an alcoholic thug, what a sad view to have. Maybe you should get out a bit more.
And as for the ‘massage parlours’ while I am not condoning this behaviour – when was the last time your life was directly affected by this Lucy?
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FS, So am I correct in my assumption that you will accept any behaviour on the grounds of economic benefits?
I do get out, but if you are suggesting that its safe for a young woman to walk the streets of Shrewsbury on her own at night – you need a reality check!
As for brothels, lets call a spade a spade, thats my point. I can avoid harssement from drunken yobs and have never felt at risk of being force to be a sex worker.
But fireworks are inflicted on me and there is nothing I can do.
I just feel that your economic benefit arguement is two faced. Shud lone women be vunerable on the streets because the alchol industry bring benefits to town, and shud women be forced as sex workers cos of economic benefits.
As dont care what your answer is, as long as it cosistent with whether u feel that people should suffer from fireworks for economic reasons?
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Lucy W, you are clearly blowing this whole thing completely out of proportion. I was merely trying to get you to understand how beneficial the flower show AND its fireworks are to the town of Shrewsbury.
Not everyone who goes out to the pubs of Shrewsbury get completely wasted, and if you have any sense, you know exactly which areas to avoid. I for one have been out countless times and have never once felt threatened while doing so and neither have my friends. As long as you stick to the nice places you’ll be fine!
As for whether I think people should suffer from fireworks for economic reasons, I suggest you re read the above comments and realise that a little bit of banging in the sky is not tantamount to suffering!
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FS, Please be consistent with your economic arguement. Sometime you apply it, sometimes you dont.
So accept that there are no-go areas for lone women in Shrewsbury that are tollerated for economic reason.
Like I said I avoid them but I cant avoid the firework menace.
Why not have a spectacular Lazer show? Show the world that Shrewsbury is moving with the times rather than stick with an ancient Chinese tradition?
I’m sure that would bring bigger crowds and be better for air pollution.
A bit of banging is not suffering. Hughe explosions and dog poop all over my carpet is! I will probably loose my deposit on this house – but I suppose you things thats good for the economy too – more work for carpet fitters?
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Lucy W, I have not once said that no go areas are tolerated for economic reasons, so please stop twisting my words for your gratification.
I have friends who work on the flower show committee and I know for sure how much people love the fireworks and love it or hate it, the banging is all part of the experience.
My advice, lock your doors at dark, sound proof your house and get your dog trained. End of.
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FS, Well I’m sorry but I am glad that you accept that some people hate it, but justify this on economic grounds.
Perhap those Neo-Ludites who run the show might want to consider a Lazer show instead – then everyone would be happy.
It seems that you feel that I have to go to riduculour expense and trouble to adapt my house so you can carry on your pathetic spectacle.
It you think its so trivial, tell me where you live and next year when you are enjoying the fireworks I will squirt brown sauce through your letter box and taste your own medicine.
If you’ve go nothing sensible to say, please go away and enjoy what other childish past time you do.
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I’m not going to start an argument – though clearly that is what you are after. All I have tried to do is merely highlight a point. If you don’t understand it was sarcasm and a joke then I’m sorry I was clearly talking to the wrong person.
As for Neo-Luddites, who are you to make judgments about people you don’t know – nobody!
Anyway, let’s hope, in years to come a compromise will be reached that makes everyone happy as I truly believe the flower show should be supported and enjoyed by all.
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FS, So you in fact believe in a compromise after all?
Well isnt that what I said in the first instance – have fireworks with out such loud bangs?
How about that for a compromise?
I rest my case.
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I have to agree with Lucy and Y. fireworks are an outddated form of pleasure and should have died out with bear baiting, foxhunting and burning witches at the stake. The sort of people who still get pleasure from fireworks are probably the sort of person who would attend a public beheading. What is it with the British , we moan if someone has a party with loud music or dogs bark for an hour or so but set of some explosives for a couple of hours and we are like kids looking in a toy shop window. Once you’ve seen one firework display, you’ve seen them all.
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Thanx you Brian(2)
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I give up! clearly there is no placating you!
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FS, There is, a quieter display in future, either firework or lazer. Surley thats not too much to ask?
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A quick question Lucy, have you ever complained to the council or the flower show about the noise? I think the majority of people would be disappointed by a laser show. You may not like it but to many people the noise is all part of the experience.
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Whats the point in complaining? Get a reality check, Flower Show and Council are all cronies. Why does the Mayor always open it?
You might think the majority wouldn’t like a lazer show, but when did you start representing the majority of people?
You should go to the continent and see the laser shows they put on there instaed of fireworks. Makes those primative explosive devices look like as hi-tec as a rubic-cude (I presume the rubic-cude has reached your neck of the woods).
Is this the image the Shrewsbury wants to project to the world?
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Lucy, what on earth are you on about? And what exactly is a “rubic-cude”??!
Do you mean RUBIX CUBE???
Oh dear.
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Kate, Yh Rubix Cube.
And I’m on about the outdated form of entertainment that the Neo-Ludites of Shrewsbury wish to preserve, despite the stong objects of people who live by it and cant get away.
FS is an “I’m alright Jack” person. His pets aren’t effected so he likes to watch these childish things with scant regard for others who are not so fortunate.
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