10 facts about the Shrewsbury Flower Show

  • Central
Roses at the Shrewsbury Flower Show Credit: Central News

  • In 1881 show entertainment included Bon Bon the tightrope walker. His tightrope was 150ft long and 40ft above the ground. Bon Bon carried a live bear cub on his shoulders across the rope and settled down to cook an omelette halfway across.

  • In 1924 the Shropshire Horticultural Society bought Shrewsbury Castle for £2,621 from show profits and presented it to the town.

  • The site of the show was used as an allotment to grow food during the Second World War.

  • A flypast from Concorde celebrated the show's centenary in 1987.

  • Katherine Jenkins performed in 2004.

  • The world record for the largest display of potato varieties was clinched at the show in 2004 when 589 varieties were on display.

  • There are around 400 exhibitors at the show every year.

  • More than three million flowers are brought into the town's Quarry Park every summer.

  • 50,000 visitors are expected at the 125th show today and tomorrow.

  • In 2007, Princess Alexandra, the Queen's first cousin, became the president of the Shropshire Horticultural Society and was the figure head for that year's event.