Shrewsbury Flower Show 'that really is' a vibrant tribute to war

This year in stark contrast to "the show that never was", the 127th event has was hailed as "the show that really is".

However, those those dark days of conflict were reflected in the words of The Reverend Canon Mark Oakley of St Paul's Cathedral .

He opened the festivities by reminding everyone of the sacrifices made by men, women and children in 1914.

And then the thousands of visitors looked to present and the impressive displays throughout the Quarry.

Shrewsbury Flower Show

Marching bands played in joyful tribute as the sun beamed down on huge white marquees and rows of tents filled with exhibits.

Showgoers young and old mingled with those in period clothing as part of a best-dressed costume competition.

"Votes for women!" was the cry of the Suffragettes 100 years ago – and it echoed once again at the Shrewsbury Flower Show.

Showgoers applauded as a rowdy group in period costume paraded through the Quarry, with a local bobby on their tail, bringing alive scenes from before the Great War.

The idea was to recall the 1914 "show that never was", because it was cancelled in the wake of the outbreak of the First World War.

"Clearly the suffragettes did stop protesting once war broke out but this is The Show That Never Was, so we are acknowledging that the ladies would still have been going strong," said Maggie Love, artistic director of Shrewsbury Heritage.

The Reverend Canon Mark Oakley, of St Paul's Cathedral, said: "The flower show was understandably cancelled and it is both appropriate and moving that this year's show, 100 years later, honours so many of the men, women and children whose lives were lost or changed in that war and whose only flower was to become the solitary red poppy of memory."

He said he could think of "no better way to pay tribute" than with the joyous occasion, which saw thousands flock to the Quarry, which continues today.

Some turned out in period dress, while societies, flower clubs, exhibitors and traders had designed their displays with an Edwardian air.

The main arena saw all-day entertainment with showjumping, high-flying trapeze artists, dog agility and a field gun display. TV chef Tom Kerridge headlined in the foodhall alongside Marcus Bean, and horticultural expert Pippa Greenwood shared gardening tips.

Nigel Pearson, marketing chairman for Shropshire Horticultural Society, which organises the show., said: "It's going great, the weather is great, the crowds have been good, everybody is buzzing and there's a lot more to come."

Shrewsbury funeral director Aubrey Kirkham went back in time to his former career by donning a wartime uniform.

"I'm here as a policeman from 1914," he said. "When I was a policeman my collar number was 650 and I've got that on my collar today.

"I left the force in 1970 but I am proud to dress up and be part of it and I am pleased to see so many others have, too."

Meanwhile Hilary Fisher, 62, of Copthorne transformed her mobility scooter into a World War I ambulance and wore a nurse's uniform.

Her husband Dave Fisher, 66, had lent a helping hand to bring her idea to life.

Mrs Fisher said: "My husband made it out of cardboard with green fence paint.

"And I made the costume out of a sheet and other bits and pieces."

If the programme for this year's show looks familiar to historians - that's because it is.

Based on the original design from 1914, the cover shows peace lilies, forget-me-knots and sunflowers, along with pears and trumpets all in the colours of Shrewsbury.

Designed by Joanne Pearce for Yarrington Design, based in Hadnall the cover is to commemorate the show that never was.

She said: "The original cover was in sepia so we took elements of it, recoloured it in the yellow and blue of Shrewsbury, and then used other aspects of it to recreate the cover. The flowers are appropriate to the theme, in particular the peace lily and the sunflowers. We wanted the cover the remember the peace from the war instead of the devastation."

Shirley Davies, director of Yarrington Design, said: "We were handed the artwork used for the original cover in 1914 and we used it to design a cover for the 127th Shrewsbury Flower Show programme. We are delighted with how it turned out."

The programme was well-used as people meandered through the quarry taking in the sights and sounds and marvelling at the beautiful show gardens and floral arrangements.

And although the breathtaking blooms took centre stage, there was a wealth of produce, crafts and even scarecrows to catch the eye.

The standard of entries in this year's floral art categories was praised by floristry expert Anna Steven.

The NAFAS-affiliated judge said she was blown away by the creativity and imagination of competitors.

She said: "I go to shows all over the country and abroad and I have to say that Shrewsbury Flower Show is comparable with anything I have seen at national level.

"The way the different categories have been interpreted is wonderful and the little details in the work are fabulous.

"I am also very pleased to see more young men becoming involved in the floristry world and I think there are more entrants this year than in previous years.

"This year's theme has really sparked the imagination of the entrants. There have been some very clever ways of incorporating various materials in to the designs."

Winner Elaine Hickman, 49, didn't have time to blow her own trumpet and celebrate her flower show success.

Instead the agapanthus expert and her husband Steve, 58, were rushed off their feet as they dealt with hundreds of visitors to their stand in the Quarry marquee.

As regulars of the show, they know what to expect and rate Shrewsbury Flower Show as their favourite in the country - despite showing at Chelsea and other big shows.

The Hickmans are known nationwide for their agapanthus plants and creating new varieties.

The couple run Hoyland Plant Centre in South Yorkshire.

Mr Hickman said: "Shrewsbury Flower Show is my favourite and it is really friendly. Everyone here is helpful and it is a really lovely show.

"Elaine has won cups before but she is really pleased to have won this year. It took a lot of time to come up with the idea and she is delighted. We always try to do our best at the show and it has paid off again."

And it was not just stall holders and exhibitors enjoying themselves.

Lyn and Vincent Whalley, vice chairman and treasurer, respectively, of the Hard of Hearing Group in Shrewsbury, were enjoying the show with their hearing dog Tara.

Mrs Whalley, of Bomere Heath, said: "We are very much enjoying the day. We try and come every year. It's absolutely brilliant.

"And with it being the centenary year of World War I it's extra special. Everyone's done a brilliant job."

Meanwhile crowds packed into the marquees to see celebrity demonstrations.

Green-fingered Pippa Greenwood gave show goers some snippets of her gardening expertise.

The regular on Gardener's Question Time also took part in a book signing.

And in the food hall TV chef TomKerridge gave an insight into how to get creative with pub grub and local chef Marcus Bean passed on his knowledge to cookery enthusiasts.

Popular TV chef Kerridge praised Shropshire's farm-to-food scene as he wowed crowds with his culinary skills in the show kitchen.

The star of BBC2 series Proper Pub Food hailed Shropshire's produce and restaurants as "phenomenal".

And the chef, who has appeared on Market Kitchen, MasterChef The Professionals and Saturday Kitchen, said he was "amazed" at what the Shrewsbury Flower Show had to offer.

Tom shared tips from his book, also called Proper Pub Food, with show-goers who packed out the food hall to watch him work.

The larger than life 41-year-old appeared half the man he once was after losing more than six stone but his personality and infectious laugh proved he was still the big character we know and love. Tom is the only chef to win in the main course round twice on BBC2's Great British Menu.

Speaking to the Shropshire Star in between demonstrations of how to put a twist on the traditional steak and chips and his own take on a strawberry dessert, he said: "Shropshire has very good produce. There's great farming here and the food culture is great. People seem really interested in where their food comes from and what they can do with it. I've been to Ludlow Food Festival, both to demonstrate and as a punter, and the standard is so high. The love of the countryside and food in Shropshire is phenomenal."

Tom said he was "delighted" to be at Shrewsbury Flower Show

"I didn't realise how big it was. It's amazing," he said. "There's a real diverse range of interesting things on show, it's not just flowers, it's food and lifestyle. It's a great day out.

"I've been up and down having a look at everything. It's really encouraging to see such great local produce. I can't wait until lunch time," he joked.

The arena was action filled all day with show jumping, a field gun display, Whitchurch Dog Display Team, Bernie Bennett's high wire act and much clowning around from Dingle Fingle Comedy Car Act.

The revelries stretched on into the warm summer evening with the Opera Boys entertaining from the arena.

And to see the opening night off with a bang a spectacular fireworks display followed a mass bands finale display.