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THE
EVOLUTION OF THE ADDO ROSE AND GARDEN SHOW
Sometimes
a suggestion, if backed by sufficient enthusiasm,
dedication and talent, can change the face of a small
community. At a normal monthly meeting of the Sundays
River Women's Institute in 1983, one of the members,
Viv Jensen, suggested that the women hold a non-competitive
Rose Show dedicated to the love of a rose. It was
thought that this show could serve as fund-raiser
and the first show was devised and organised in five
months.
The
month of October was chosen since that is when Valley
roses are at their best. It was anticipated that 100
people would attend and everyone was astounded when
over 300 rose lovers thronged to the Valley. Within
three years, the attendance had hit the 1000 mark,
the arrangers became more ambitious, and began to
arrange to a distinctive floral theme which has remained
one of the unique aspects of the show.
By
1987, in its fifth year, a "Country Luncheon"
was introduced and attendance topped 4000. Press coverage
made comparisons with the famed Chelsea Flower Show
and visitors came from much further afield than Port
Elizabeth. Soon it became necessary to hold a preview
evening to accommodate the crowds and for many years
the show opened with a cocktail party.
By
1998, in its 15th year, the Women's Institute took
the plunge to run the show over an entire weekend
and they have never looked back. In that year, the
show was opened by the World President of the Federation
of Rose Societies who declared it "the best in
the world" on account of its themed design and
the variety of roses utilised. It has become necessary
over the years to have other organisations and individuals
assist with the food and craft stalls and many individual
traders return year after year. In 2005, in keeping
with international trends, the Rose Show transformed
into The Addo Rose and Garden Show with an entire
section now devoted to nurseries and outdoor lifestyle
products. A sophisticated Rose Café has replaced
the Country Luncheon and the Gala Preview is now a
sought after dinner supported by both corporates and
individual visitors.
Throughout
the changes, some things have remained the same. Most
of the flower arrangers are all from the Women's Institute
who still arrange to a new and exciting theme every
year. The co-ordination and management of the entire
show remains in the hands of the Women's Institute.
Unique to this show, is the Specimen Tent, where a
minimum of 100 rose specimens are displayed and labelled
for the serious rose lover.
Today,
more than eight thousand national and international
visitors attend the show to see sixteen thousand roses
of over forty varieties displayed in the Valentine
Hall. The planning and preparation is arduous and
meticulous and certainly could not be done in five
months as it was for the first show twenty three years
ago! All profits go to meet the ever-increasing need
to alleviate the ravages of rural poverty. With your
continued support, we hope to go from strength to
strength so that we may continue to support those
charities who are so reliant on our funding.
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