Horticultural society hosts its milestone 200th flower show

Those that attended the inaugural show in 1826 would not recognise it in it’s current form, or venue, if they were to visit this year. In recent years the show has moved to St.Mary’s and St.Peter’s Church on the Mid Links in Montrose, a beautiful building to show off all the wonderful produce.

The first show was held in the Montrose Guildhall, which is what is now known as the Town House at the southern end of the High Street.

The show itself is so much more than just flowers; with the expected classes for dahlias and all sorts of vegetables and fruit, but also a baking section, classes for jams, handicrafts, floral art and photography. It is also all-inclusive, with classes for juniors and novices to the art of competitive showing.

In fact, anyone can enter classes in the show and costs are kept low to encourage participation.

There are cash prizes for places first to third and also many trophies on offer, with well-kent local names such as the Dunninauld Bowl and the Finella Trophy, for the best exhibits in different sections.

To mark the special occasion the trophies will be presented at the end of the show day by Angus’s Lord-Lieutenant Patricia Sawers.

This year there is a special section to mark the bicentenary, which has classes that might have been more recognisable to those early competitors, such as a lace collar, a lady’s apron and a cross-stitch sampler.

So go along this Saturday between 10am and 3pm to see the biggest onions, the prettiest vase of garden foliage and the best gingerbread.