Barbados will be going after a record 16th gold next weekend when the 2013 Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show is held in England.
With an exhibit titled: Celebrating UNESCO World Heritage Site – Bridgetown And Its Garrison, the Barbados Horticultural Society (BHS) will be aiming to parade Bridgetown and the Garrison being established as a World Heritage Site with another gold in their 26th year of competition.
Barbados has taken part in the prestigious show since 1988, garnering the enviable record of 15 gold, eight silver gilt and one silver.
Vice-president and coordinator Shirley Anne Howell, who is supervising the finalizing and packing of the 30 boxes of flowers and foliage at the BHS headquarters in Balls, Christ Church, spoke with pride of Barbados’ bid to maintain the success at Chelsea.
“Barbados has established an incredible record because countries from all over the world take part every year and while we have won 15 gold, eight silver gilts and one silver, many countries which have competed longer than Barbados have never won a medal at Chelsea,” said Howell.
On Wednesaday, members of the BHS were finalizing the scrutiny of flowers and foliage to be boxed and shipped on Virgin Atlantic later in the afternoon. On that trip would have been Wayne Ramsay, Carol Anne Brancker and Noreen Bayley, who would link forces in England with president Jennifer Weetch and John Leach who had gone ahead.
“Our backdrop will depict the Parliament Buildings and the clock linking the scenery of the Garrison and the Drill Hall.
“The military setting of the Garrison has seen us emphasizing bright, aggressive flowers such as purples, reds, oranges and yellows with only local and tropical flowers and foliage being used,” said Howell.
The striking “sexy pink” heliconias, “prince of darkness”, the exotic anthuriums as well as the varied and strikingly colourful orchids were all cleaned and packed with the care of a newborn baby, with all hopes of giving birth to greater floral success for Barbados at Chelsea. (KB)
