Shrewsbury Flower Show 2016: Hospital League of Friends feeding the hard working staff

The hard work of setting up for today's Shrewsbury Flower Show is made that little bit easier thanks to the volunteers from the League of Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

For the past 25 years they have cooked up thousands of bacon butties for stall holders, exhibitors and those working to ensure the show runs as smoothly as possible.

It is no mean feat – they get through pounds of bacon, hundreds of freshly baked baps donated by Bloomers of Wem and dozens of bottles of ketchup and brown sauce over the two days prior to the show.

The League of Friends operates from theRoyal Shrewsbury Hospital and all proceeds made from the sale of the sandwiches go towards donations the group makes to the RSH to buy much-needed equipment for the hospital.

Since the group formed 50 years ago, it has donated about £11 million to the hospital.

Susan Hurdiss, organising secretary for the League of Friends, said: "For the past 25 years the League of Friends has run the Buttie stall during the two set-up days of the Flower Show.

"The Friends' marquee is not difficult to find and it is all very much appreciated by the many exhibitors, ground staff and flower show organisers alike.

"The food is freshly cooked and talking to some of the exhibitors, they are very grateful to have refreshments close to hand and at such a reasonable prices.

"They also know that all the proceeds will be put towards life-saving hospital equipment."

Malcolm Booth, one of the organisers of the Flower Show and a League of Friends volunteer, said: "My thanks go to the Friends in providing such a wonderful service.

"They are part of Shrewsbury Flower Show and the bringing together of people."

But they don't just serve butties – later in the afternoon the homemade cakes, some still warm from the oven, come out and afternoon tea is served.

The tent where this is all served up is then transformed in to a plant crèche for visitors to the show to leave their purchases while then enjoy the two-day event.

Hundreds of show-goers this morning waited patiently for the gates to open at 10am for the 129th show.

There to greet them were the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, demonstrations of floral art and the ever popular showjumping. There are also marquees packed with thousands of flowers and plants along with fruit and flowers, bees and honey. The show was being officially opened at the war memorial adjacent to the main gate at 11.30am.

Later today visitors can look forward to demonstrations by chefs, including Gizzi Erskine from Sky Living and Channel 4 whose shows include Cook Yourself Thin and Cooks to Market, gardening expert and star of Gardener's World Sarah Raven, a musical ride by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, a display by Forge Falconry and the evening will round off with a performance by The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the fireworks display.

The show will continue tomorrow with the appearance of hit band The Christians, an appearance by Of One Accord Choir and Gardener's Question Time.