Blooming Good Show at Livingston

Over Saturday May 5 and Sunday May 6, exhibitors from West Lothian and beyond set up stalls within a specially erected outdoor marquee as well as at selected areas within the mall. Displaying an impressive array of colourful flowers and plants, visitors were dazzled by the range on show with many available to purchase.

Organised with Rural Projects ahead of its Ayr Flower Show and Gardening Scotland event in Edinburgh, the free show allowed visitors to get expert advice and opinions from a range of experts and nurseries attending the event, including the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, Binny Plants, Macplants and Oatridge College.

The Bonsai Association’s stand within the centre proved a popular attraction with specialist pruning demonstrations, while local florist Flowers by Melanie offered a colourful range of bouquets and displays for purchase.

Attendees were also invited to bring along their own houseplants over the weekend for a chance to win £250 shopping vouchers to spend in Livingston. Dr Stan de Prato from the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society announced the winner on Sunday May 6 as Mrs Gladys Hardwick from Dalkeith whose Begonia was judged best in show.

Martin Dare, event organiser at Rural Projects, said: “We enjoy great success with our shows in Ayr and Ingliston and are confident that Livingston Flower Show will continue to grow and become just as popular. The event provided a fantastic preview ahead of the bigger horticulture shows still to come throughout the season.”

This event was the second in a series of monthly events organised by Almondvale Shopping Centre in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, where over £4,500 has been raised so far. Donations for the charity were collected throughout the weekend both in the marquee and within the mall. Over £16,000 PR was also generated by this event.

Almondvale Shopping Centre Marketing Manager, Jennifer Bruce, said: “We were very excited to be hosting the first Livingston Flower Show at Almondvale Shopping Centre - it was great to see so many shoppers making their way to the marquee to browse the displays and collect their free sunflower seeds.

“With a variety of fun events for all the family taking place throughout the year, the mall is fast becoming one of the nation’s top retail and leisure destinations.”