THE Taunton Flower show was once again a hit as good weather and good times were enjoyed by all.

The event kicked off on Friday morning and queues were backed up to the Vivary Park gates by 10.30am.

An array of events took place across the two-day show, including live beekeeping, an eagle and vulture show, and a dog display.

Thousands of people submitted entries to take place in competitions in more than 300 classes.

Adrian Prior-Sankey, chairman elect of Taunton Flower Show, said: “We held our record number of attendees from last year as we saw a similar amount of people enter the show.

“There were so many smiles on the winners, organisers, and visiting public’s faces.

“There wasn’t a corner in the whole place that someone hadn’t made their own.

“The designer gardens are always my favourite every year; each garden is such an amazing design endeavour to create them.

“This year all the gardens were very different; I know I wouldn’t have wanted to be one of the judges.

“Two people got to win this year as we also had our People’s Choice award to give out.”

The winners of the Designer Garden competition were Rosemary and David Freemantle for their design based around mobility.

Mr Freemantle said: “We wanted to focus our garden around mobility – you have to be able to get around your garden.

“We have been growing the plants and worrying about everything for weeks now.

“We couldn’t have done it without the help from Wellington Scaffolding, the Rainbow Trug Company, the Lazy Lawn Company and Monkton Elm Garden Centre.”

Judge Rosemary Fitzgerald said: “All of the gardens were so thoughtful and interesting.

“The first day of setting up saw a lot of rain.

“I have done shows myself, so I understand the problems that weather can have.”

The People’s Choice winner was Tracey James with her Precious Time garden, which she dedicated to Wellington charity the Wedding Wishing Well Foundation.

In the floral marquee, Monkton Elm Garden Centre was awarded a large gold medal and the Cridland trophy for its 1926-themed garden – the year the Queen was born.

Andrew Pitman, store manager, said: “It is fantastic to have our hard work and dedication rewarded.”

Beekeepers rejoiced in the Bee and Honey marquee as interest seems to have taken flight, according to Peter Maben, Taunton division chairman of the Somerset Beekeepers’ Association.

He said: “It seems that everyone is talking about bees.”

Although the show was a two-day event over Friday and Saturday, the events were concluded on Sunday evening by the Deane Big Band, who played a Flower Show Appreciation concert at the Creative Innovation Centre (CICCIC), in Paul Street.

Proceeds went to the Taunton Association for the Homeless and other CICCIC community projects.

Andrew Knutt, director of CICCIC and concert organiser, said: “Overall it was a fantastic event. We had more than 150 join us on Sunday afternoon for our Vivary Park family concert with four bands and two solo performers.

“Then 70 people joined us at the centre for the Deane Big Band on Sunday evening.

“Overall we raised £300 which will be split between the Taunton Association for the Homeless and CICCIC.

“People said to me afterwards that the quality of the music was brilliant, and that Taunton should be have more events like this.”

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