Norfolk garden show visitors down

Visitor numbers at the Norfolk Spring Garden Show were affected by the weather over the weekend.

Continuous rainfall and cold winds on Saturday hit the expected visitor numbers.

But yesterday's blue skies and Spring sunshine brought the crowds out and the assortment of gardening-related stalls and outdoor materials trade stands were doing much better.

Matthew Upson, director of the organising company Aztec, said that Saturday's rainfall and winds was the worst weather the company had experienced in nine years of staging the show.

'The show was just rained off on Saturday but it was amazing that people still came in and dressed accordingly in Wellingtons and carrying umbrellas and even they were folding inside out. It must have been the wettest day of the years, it rained from seven in the morning until nine at night.'

He said the weather was better amid the sunshine of yesterday .

Mr Upson said that he had noticed just how many family groups were coming through the gates and that gardening was clearly becoming of greater interest to younger people.

Pamela Brookesmith, of The Avenues, South Norwich, had bought a bleeding heart plant and an old-fashioned luppin and some bedding plants.

'The plants are reasonably priced and it's a lovely event to wander around and pick up useful ideas,' she said.

Jennifer Harrison, of Dereham, was carrying some pictures she had bought and was with her friend, Peter Hill, from Tacolneston. They both said they had enjoyed the show but felt there were slightly fewer stands this year.

Carleen Jermey, of Toftwood, near Dereham, who was visiting the show with her husband, Wayne and daughters, Melissa, 12 and nine-year-old Alix said: 'It is nice to get to try local produce and to find unique items on the stands and the plants are fantastic and very good quality. I normally buy some plants every year,' she said.