Ellerslie’s Convenor of Judges bestows special award

Ellerslie’s Convenor of Judges bestows special award

A special award for Historical Creativity has been awarded at this year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show to the Belfast Garden Club.

The garden club’s exhibit, The Early Settlers, in the City Care Hort Galore Marquee is a historical representation of the 1890s Belfast Cemetery.

Convenor of Judges Jim Fogarty from Australia said while the exhibit did not win an award in the horticultural category in which it was entered, the quality of the exhibit from the design and historical creativity was of such a calibre it deserved a special award.

“The award recognises the historical innovation and creativity of the club in capturing the essence and atmosphere of a cemetery from the 19th century.”

He said the garden was outside the category criteria in which it was entered, but the club had created an outstanding exhibit which was evident in the way the public was engaging with it.

“Visitors to the show will really enjoy this exhibit. While it is important that gardens look to the future, it is just as important for gardens to honour our connections with the past which is exactly what the Belfast Garden club has achieved.”

He said the design was fun: “there is a level of complexity in replicating a cemetery from the 19th century and that is what this award is recognising”.

“The Belfast Garden Club has undertaken a significant amount of research and has created an exhibit that takes you back in time – it is wonderful.”

It is the first time the award has been given.

Jan McFedries of the Belfast Garden Club said it was “unbelievable” to receive the award and it was superb to have the efforts of the club recognised with such a special award.

“This is really something special for us.”

o The Ellerslie International Flower Show is in North Hagley Park, Christchurch, from 7 to 11 March 2012. For more information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

© Scoop Media