New trophy for Shrewsbury Flower Show

The former president of Shrewsbury Flower Show today presented organisers with a special new trophy to be awarded at this year's event.

Howard Franklin, who was president last year, handed over the The Howard Franklin Crystal Rose Bowl in the Dingle at the town's Quarry.

It will be a regular award for the best floristry exhibit in the Floral Art section. Mr Franklin, who was succeeded by Hugh Meynell as president this year, said the bowl had been commissioned to commemorate his time in the role.

He said: "It's going to be a perpetual trophy at the show. It's going to be awarded for the best piece of floristry but in the future it may be given for something else.

"When you look at the length of this show and its history there are trophies named after people who are long since dead. A trophy is a way of perpetuating one's name."

Mr Franklin is an international lecturer in floral design and a national judge for The Royal Horticultural Society. Mr Franklin said he believed this year's show, on August 12 and 13 in the Quarry, would be another spectacular occasion.

Don't miss the eight-page special inside Thursday's Shropshire Star