South Ayrshire Council is helping to support the Ayr Flower Show in future years by approving an application from the Ayrshire Horticultural Society for £50,000 from the Ayr Common Good Fund.

The Ayrshire Horticultural Society applied for a contribution from Ayr Common Good Fund to help them establish an Ayr Flower Show ‘investment’ fund of £250,000, to allow the organisation to better plan future Flower Show events.   The funding will be invested so that it can be used to support the Show when it has had reduced attendances, this has happened in some years when the weather has been particularly bad.

Councillor Gibson T. Macdonald, the Leader of the Council said:  “Ayr Flower Show is part of our heritage, and just like any plant it needs to be nurtured so that it can grow in a healthy way and put down strong roots.

“A magnificent group of volunteers took on the organisation of Ayr Flower Show some years ago, when a previous Council withdrew support for the show.  Each year the Show grows in popularity because of the real drive of  the organisers to add to the attractions each year.

“This Council recognises the importance of the Show to tourism, the economic wellbeing of the community and the great pleasure it brings to the people of South Ayrshire and visitors to the area.  The £50,000 from the Ayr Common Good will kick start the Ayr Flower Show fund.  I hope that this will encourage individuals and businesses to add to the fund and make sure that Ayr Flower Show blossoms in future years.”

Ayr Flower Show has blossomed into an international event with exhibitors attending from other European countries.  Travelling to and from South Ayrshire by air, sea, rail or road is very easy, and this has encouraged people to make their visit coincide with the date of the Ayr Flower Show.

In 2007 the Ayr Flower Show will be held on 3, 4 and 5 August 2007 anyone who would like further information, like to become a patron of the show or contribute to the investment fund should contact the organisers on 01292 618395 or info@ayrflowershow.org

December 2006