THE second Robin Hill Garden Show was such a huge hit with visitors and exhibitors that it is sure to have claimed a place among the top annual events for which the Island is now known.

Exhibitors without exception said it was a fabulous, superbly organised show, which drew the crowds in their thousands over the three days, to the delightful setting of Robin Hill Country Park.

Not only that, but many reported bumper sales. One nationally known rose grower, Stewart Pocock, took a huge van-load of blooms which he thought would be far too much for the three days – and sold the lot on the first day, forcing him to take a late-night ferry back to Romsey for more supplies.

The three-day show is organised by Darren Cool, park and events manager for Robin Hill, and Yvonne Mathews, a garden designer who needs no introduction to most Islanders.

Their intention was to hold an old-fashioned country-style event, as opposed to the modern beds which are a feature of many of the garden shows nationally.

Yvonne said: “We are a rural, rather cute place to live and that is very much reflected in the show.”
Robin Hill Country Park’s intention in staging the event is to get the attraction known to a wider audience other than the traditional family-with-young-children visitor. And it seems to be working.

“We have seen a rise in the last year or so in adult-only visitors. Senior citizens come for a cream tea and to enjoy the scenery,” said Darren.

The 5,000-or-so people who attended the garden show over the three days could hardly fail to be impressed by the new gardens laid out in the park, including ponds and bridges and the wonderful woods still displaying a carpet of bluebells, despite the early spring, with the show site in a valley surrounded by hills and woodland.
There were the same number of stalls selling plants as last year, although exhibitor numbers were down in the floral marquee, with some staying away because they were busy preparing for a Royal Horticultural Society show in Malvern, which starts on Thursday.

One of the most popular features was the newly introduced Food Theatre, brainchild of Louise Hart of Farmer Jack’s.

Top Island chefs drew large numbers as they set about creating heavenly dishes from Island produce.

source :www.iwcp.co.uk