130 years at the Shrewsbury Flower Show

Starting back in 1836, as a Carnation and Goosebury Show, it's evolved over the years, now attracting 50,000 visitors to the event. Credit: Archive.

The Shrewsbury Flower Show celebrates 130 years today, making it the longest running flower show of its kind.

Starting back in 1836, as a Carnation and Goosebury Show, it's evolved over the years, now attracting 50,000 visitors to the event.

Here's a guide to just some key moments in the history of the Shrewsbury Flower Show:

  • 1836 - The Salop Horticultural Society presents a Carnation and Gooseberry Show in the Frankwell area of Shrewsbury.

  • 1857 - The Shropshire Horticultural Society stage the first ‘Flower Show’ in a large marquee in Shrewsbury’s town centre.

  • 1874 - Despite on-going financial pressure, the show made a profit of one shilling and 10 pence – which is the equivalent to nine pence today.

  • 1875 -The Shropshire Horticultural Society was formally born and the Shrewsbury Flower Show became official.

  • 1881 - Entertainment included Bon Bon the tightrope walker, whose tightrope was 150 ft long and stood 40 ft above the ground.

  • 1914-1918 -The First World War meant the show was halted for seven years.

  • 1920 - The revival show brought people from across England and Wales and as far north as Scotland.

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

  • 1940 - The Quarry was used as an allotment as part of Shrewsbury’s war effort to grow food.

  • 1952 - British Garden in Berlin was completed having been designed by Percy Thrower and funded by the Society.

  • 1970 - Weather halted play as two inches of rain fell during the first day of the show.

  • 1987 - The show celebrated its Centenary Show with a flyover from Concorde.

  • 2004 - Katherine Jenkins sang to the crowds.

  • 2012 - Shrewsbury Flower Show is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest running horticultural show held in the same location.

Credit: ITV Central.

Gardeners, cooks and artists of all abilities will be competing to take home a prize for their skills in flower arranging, vegetable growing, crafts and cookery throughout the two day event starting today.

Over 50 thousand people are expected at the two-day event from today. Credit: ITV Central.

A mix of events are lined up to take place including musical performances from bands such as the Overtones, Pony Showjumping and the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team, all ending with a firework display at the end of each evening.