Rain fails to dampen spirits of day at Ellerslie

11 March 2010

Rain fails to dampen spirits of day two visitors to Ellerslie

Rain failed to dampen the spirits of the 10,000 visitors to the second day of the Ellerslie International Flower Show in North Hagley Park, Christchurch.

Crowds began queueing again from 8am, excited about seeing the Southern Hemisphere’s largest flower show and hoping to beat the rain, said Ellerslie International Flower Show Director Dave Mee.

“The rain arrived mid morning and was intermittent throughout the day but failed to dampen the spirits of visitors, who left with smiles on their faces and praising the quality of the exhibits.”

Prime Minister John Key visited the Show this afternoon, spending about an hour wandering about the Show. He visited a number of the exhibition gardens, the Judges Supreme Award winning Christchurch Botanic Gradens exhibit, the Floral Art and Hort Galore Marquee and Emerging Designs.

Mr Key said the Show was “superb” and a “great addition to the city”.

He commented that An Englishman’s Retreat by multi award-winning Chelsea Flower Show designer Chris Beardshaw from England had great “grandeur and creativity” and he enjoyed the Christchurch Botanic Gardens exhibit for its “colour and complexity”.

Tomorrow the People’s Choice Award will be announced at 2.30pm, along with the winner of The Great North and South Landscape Build-Off.

The Ellerslie International Flower Show runs till Sunday 14 March and open daily from 10am to 7pm, expect Sunday when the Show closes at 6pm.

ends