A BLOOMING marvellous spring is in the pipeline in Inkberrow thanks to the efforts of local resident Tony Perryman and a team of volunteers.
Tony stepped in to save the village’s Spring and Autumn flower and veg shows after organisers – Inkberrow District Horticultural Society – was forced to close after 58 years due to a lack of committee members.
Tony, himself a member of the group, stepped in with an offer to run the shows for three years to ensure they have a bright future.
“Everybody agrees that the shows are very much part of the village and firmly embedded in the cultural life of the community,” he said.
“So this venture should be seen as an invigorating, evolutionary process taking the shows forward.”
Backed by a team of volunteers he’s spread the word around Inkberrow that the shows must go on.
“I’m pleased with the positive response we’ve had,” he said.
“We’ve got a big allotment association who have never been involved directly and I’m also hopeful of getting the after-school club as well and hopefully getting more people on board.”
A man with 60 years in the veg industry, he acknowledges the impact of global warming.
“We don’t have distinct seasons any more – the weather’s gone crazy,” he said.
And in the wake of the wet and mild winter so far he’s optimistic of a fine display of bulbs for the Spring Show.
“We’ve been handing out a planting programme for people and if you’ve got bulbs in your garden the chances are, given the weather, they’re already pushing up now,” he said.
“Hyacinths, daffodils, tulips and irises in pots and hopefully by the beginning of March we should have a good display.”
Tony’s now looking for sponsors to help cover the costs of the event: “If we can get three of four firms interested, and we’re not asking for much, then that would do nicely,” he said.
For more details on the show or to sponsor it, call Tony on 01386 792024.
