We had a delightful day at Southport Flower Show today.  It really is the best garden show in the North by a country mile.  We got their early before the crowds and had an hour or so to wander the marquees without the hoards (which appeared a little later on).  The stars of the show in our book has to be HM Prison Service both Kirkham and the Young Offenders Institute Thorn Cross produced the most amazing show gardens I think I have ever seen.

Some of the lads from Thorn Cross were there at the show and were so proud of the work they had done (and rightly so) that they positively beamed with pride.

Here are some images of the exhibit by  HMP Kirkham Railway Cottage (look at the path made out of potatoes)

And some from the wartime display by HMP YOI Thorn Cross (they even had a Spitfire plane)


They really had the WOW factor!

Many of the other stall holders had really gone to town with the vintage theme.

Highlights for us were an old  fashioned shop made out of tomatoes,



a Kelly bag made out of bay leaves




and a beautiful flower display in honour of the Women's Land Army, which was just stunning as well as moving.



A fantastic day was had by all.



Ps. We unfortunately missed David Bellamy but we did share a smile when we bumped into each other walking around.  I can honestly say he doesn't look a day over 60 (he's 78!).

P.ps. The show continues until the 21 August and you can buy tickets at the gate.  It really is worth a visit and if you do go please let us know what your favorite bits were.

We received tickets free of charge courtesy of Southport Flower Show to review the show