Shropshire Star comment: Volunteers are best of the county
The sun ought to shine on the Davies family when Shrewsbury Flower Show opens its gates to the public. They are some of the many tireless volunteers who selflessly put others first to keep the show on the road.
Having been involved with the event for a remarkable 71 years, the Davies's began their association with the event when Ivor Davies was a youngster.
It has changed considerably over the past six decades but some things – like their dedication to the cause – stay the same.
They are not the only ones. From Shrewsbury Folk Festival to the Ludlow and Shrewsbury food festivals, from the Burwarton Show to similar events in Oswestry and Newport; Shropshire is blessed to have more than its fair share of exceptional summer shows and activities. They raise the county’s profile, make it a must-visit destination for people who live in different parts of the country and help us to show off our beautiful county at its absolute best.
The volunteers themselves are the story within the story. Often overlooked and frequently unsung, they are the essential components without whom none of the above events would function. From the people who make the tea to those who staff the gates, from the stewards who help keep everyone safe to the volunteers who offer advice, from the teams who take care of the public conveniences to those who clean up when the public have gone home: volunteers truly are the best of the county.
The events themselves are a real success story. In the not too distant past, Shropshire had just a handful of carnivals, shows and summer activities. In the past two decdes, there has been a blossoming of skills as more people have taken it upon themselves to organise activities locally.
And it is not just the headline events that fare so well. In our smaller towns and villages, people chip in and do their bit to create a sense of community and engender enormous pride. It has been a vintage year for such activities as the sun has shone long and hard across the region. People of all ages have enjoyed inexpensive family entertainment at outdoor venues for months. And people like the Davies’s have been there to make it all happen.
