GARDENING fans could make it a record turnout at the 10th annual Tatton RHS Flower Show.
Early indications are attendances will exceed the annual 100,000 crowd to the 29-acre showground as Cheshire residents flock to the event.
A spokesman for The RHS Tatton Park show, explained: “We have had a fantastic start to the week with an amazing turnout.”
The glamorous event is the flagship of Cheshire’s Year of Gardens campaign and has helped to push forecasts of 300,000 visitors and a £15m economic windfall ahead of target.
Visit Chester and Cheshire has reported a 30% increase in turnover in footfall to the region’s gardens of distinction with Ness Gardens, Chester Zoo, Arley and Cholmondeley Castle revealing sharp visitor increases.
Cheshire’s Year of Gardens 08 project manager Louise Garforth explained: “The CYOG 08 campaign has proved a huge hit with the people of Cheshire, with individuals, schools and businesses all helping make our vision a reality.”
Visit Chester and Cheshire celebrated a double success this week after its showpiece garden created by celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw scooped both Gold and Best in Show awards.
Inspired by several of Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction, the exhibit is surrounded by gardens created by several county attractions, which were also award winners. Ness Botanic Gardens and Tatton Park both won gold medals for their gardens; Chester Zoological Gardens won silver gilt and Arley Hall & Gardens won silver.
Chris Beardshaw said: “Cheshire Year of Gardens 08 is a fantastic enterprise. It’s so rare to see so many pulling together for a single common cause.”
VCC Director of Operations Barrie Kelly added : “We wanted to show the best of Cheshire in the garden and winning this is the icing on the cake.
“We knew CYOG was a good idea but we have been surprised by how successful it has been.”
