Forfar Horticultural Society has come up with a barrowload of ideas to grow interest in the town flower show for an upcoming milestone anniversary.
The event is one of the oldest in the county and town’s Reid Hall will welcome visitors to what will be the society’s 120th show at the end of August.
Horticultural societies across Courier country have been battling dwindling numbers in recent years, but after successfully introducing a novice section for newcomers in 2018, Forfar officials hope to make even further progress in propagating years of future success.
The society has also urged past exhibitors to have a root around their attics and cupboards for show memorabilia which will form an additional display at this year’s event.
“We tried new ideas last year, particularly towards encouraging young people and newcomers to get involved,” said society chairman Jim Ewing.
“The introduction of a novices section was undoubtedly a hit with 15 entries and we hope that the number of entries in these classes will continue to rise.
“A completely new trophy for the best item in the section had been presented to FHS by a long-serving supporter of the society, which we are delighted with.
“In the children’s section, the ‘Heaviest Crop grown from one Potato in a bag’ in each of the two different age groups was very well supported and we want to make sure that this year’s entrants get the very best support in getting their efforts onto the show bench,” he added.
Mr Ewing, who specialises in growing rare apples, continued: “Society members have a good collection of photographs and other items which cover activities over the past 20 years or so, but we would be happy to hear from anyone who has memorabilia they would be willing to lend for a display at the show.”
The group gained Forfar’s Andrew Smyth community award in 1999 as the first town organisation to receive the accolade.
The Reid Hall floral classes might also feature Forfar’s Pride, a fuschia with red and blue blooms reflecting the colours of the town coat of arms which was registered by the society to mark its centenary in 1999.
