Town set to bloom at Chorley Flower Show this weekend

Thousands of people are set to be dazzled by colourful floral displays by some of the most talented exhibitors in the country at the Chorley Flower Show this weekend.
All set for Chorley Council second flower show. 
Cllr.Alistair Bradley council leader Michelle Scott of Botany Bay, and David Broan of Chorley and District Gardening Society.All set for Chorley Council second flower show. 
Cllr.Alistair Bradley council leader Michelle Scott of Botany Bay, and David Broan of Chorley and District Gardening Society.
All set for Chorley Council second flower show. Cllr.Alistair Bradley council leader Michelle Scott of Botany Bay, and David Broan of Chorley and District Gardening Society.

Chorley is set to be blooming at the borough prepares to launch the “biggest event of the year” in Astley Park on Saturday and Sunday.

A line-up of gardening and horticultural entertainment is planned for the event, which will also see the unveiling of the new Victorian Glasshouse, which will be a permanent addition in the Walled Garden in the historic park.

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Councillor Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, which is running the event, said the flower show was returning for the second time after being a “great success” in 2015.

He said: “It is our biggest event of the year and is a must visit for all generations of the family.

“Astley Park is a glorious setting and it promises to be a great day out for people of all ages and it will be the perfect place to come and get some inspiration and ideas for your garden at home.

“We’ve had fantastic turnouts at our summer events and I’d urge everyone to come and support the flower show so we can make this event one that Chorley residents will be proud of for years to come.”

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The two-day event will include a professional exhibitors’ marquee featuring gold-medal winning entrants from some of the country’s biggest shows, an amateur and societies marquee with flower and pot plant classes and floral art, and horticultural trade stands.

There will also be a chance to meet celebrity gardeners Jo Swift and Carol Klein who will be hosting talks and answering questions.

Guests will also be able to see Chorley’s award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show exhibit ‘The Evaders’ Garden’ and take a tour of Astley Hall.

Michelle Scott, marketing manager of the main event sponsors Botany Bay, said everyone was really looking forward to the event.

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She said: “We can’t wait to see the fantastic displays, which you don’t normally get to see unless you go to one of the big shows.

“Let’s hope the sun shines and we get a glorious weekend that showcases Chorley to the rest of the country.”

Botany Bay is providing a free park and ride service from the shopping centre to make it easier for people attending the show to get a parking space.

The park and ride service will be operated by Stagecoach Gold buses and will run up to every 20 minutes throughout both days of the show.

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People are also being warned that the area around the lodge in the park and Astley Hall will be closed off from Wednesday, July 27, until Tuesday, August 2.

Access will be maintained so people can still get from Hallgate to the town centre at all times.

The council is also making people aware that there will be limited parking at Hallgate from Wednesday, July 27, so people visiting the park are urged to use the town centre car parks and not park on residential roads in Astley Village.

Tickets are still on sale for the event, priced at £5 for adults or “1.50 for children if bought in advance.

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A family ticket can also be purchased for £12 or £8 for a weekend ticket.

Advance ticket sales are available at Botany Bay, Café Ambio, in Astley Park and Malcolm’s Musicland, on Chapel Street.

Advance sales end on Friday at noon.

For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit chorley.gov.uk or call 01257 515151.