Flower show prepares for Royal visitors

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at a previous Sandringham Flower Show

More than 20,000 people will converge on Sandringham tomorrow for one of the most eagerly awaited events of Norfolk's summer calendar: the annual flower show.

They include Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, who will tour the park in a horse-drawn carriage before meeting showgoers on a walkabout.

Launched 129 years ago to encourage estate workers to look after their gardens, the show has grown into a day-long celebration of outdoor living. It also hosts the region's leading show gardens competition, with top designers competing for the EDP Best in Show trophy.

“The cottage garden competition was an inspired way of encouraging gardening and self-sufficiency,” said show president Marcus O'Lone.

“Today, the flower, vegetable, flower arranging and home preserves competitions continue and form part of the success of the show.

“However, the show has now changed, and we welcome horticultural excellence from the whole region, and the standard of garden designs and exhibits in the horticultural marquees would be at home at Chelsea.”

Giles Gardens, which has designed this year's flagship show garden in the royal marquee, is proof of that.

After winning the smaller show gardens competition at Sandringham, the Welney-based firm took the same design to Chelsea, where it won. Its latest garden, sponsored by Marshall Toyota and the EDP, highlights the need for a new industrial revolution and a more sustainable approach to life.

This year there are 14 show gardens. Also, there will be more than 200 trade and charity stalls and a full programme of main ring events, along with bands, static displays and a host of talks and demonstrations.

As well as on-site refreshments, tomorrow's show will also see the arrival of Normal for Norfolk, a themed marquee highlighting some of the best in Norfolk produce.

“Sandringham Flower Show retains all the character and traditions that set this show apart from any other,” said show administrator Paul Murrell. “Each year, tasteful new ventures merge seamlessly into this unique family show.”

Don't miss Wednesday's EDP for a special Flower Show supplement. Vendors on the showground will be selling papers with a goody bag of gifts. And watch for show updates, pictures and slideshows on www.edp24.co.uk