Ringo lends Starr power to Flower Show

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Ringo lends Starr power to Flower Show

by Jacqueline

May 19, 2008

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show opens tomorrow and with The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Royal, Ringo Starr, Michael Caine, Jeremy Irons, Imelda Staunton, Vivienne Westwood, Manolo Blahnik, Paul Smith and Philip Treacy, among others, expected to attend, it should be one exciting event.
It runs through Saturday, May 24. Blahnik designed the show’s poster and created special-edition rose print shoes to celebrate the occasion. There’s also an emphasis on keeping gardens environmentally friendly; exhibitors had to meet green standards, as outlined by the Royal Horticultural Society.

In honor of the world’s greatest flower show, I’ve put together a little quiz. For more info about the show, visit: rhs.org.uk/chelsea/2008/about.asp.

Yellow flower

1. The show has been held at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, since 1913. Before that, it was held in Kensington. In what year was it founded?
A. 1862
B. 1888
C. 1903

2. How many visitors are expected?
A. 142,000
B. 157,000
C. 210,000

3. Ringo Starr came to Monday’s VIP preview. Why did he attend the show?
A. To join Olivia Harrison for the opening of a garden dedicated to her late husband George Harrison.
B. To lend support to the green gardening movement.
C. To be on hand for the ceremony dedicating a yellow rose to the Beatles.

4. How many exhibitors will be at the show?
A. 600
B. 925
C. 850

5. About 5,000 bottles of champagne will be sold during the week of the show. True or False?

6. Work is already under way for the 2009 show. How many people built this year’s show?
A. 800
B. 500
C. 600

ANSWERS
1. A. 1862. It was then called the Great Spring Show.

2. B. 157,000. The Royal Horticultural Society has 370,000 members; Tuesday and Wednesday are reserved for RHS members.

3. B. Harrison loved gardening.

4. C. 600 exhibitors. This includes: show gardens, courtyard gardens and urban gardens; 100 floral exhibitors; and about 300 garden product exhibitors.

5. True. Also, 49,000 glasses of Pimms, 54,000 cups of tea and coffee, and 28,000 sandwiches are sold. There are 185 toilets.

6. A. 800. It took them three and a half weeks to build the show. It takes place on 11 acres of show ground.

Flower Fact of the Day: If you couldn’t make it to the Chelsea Flower Show, consider going to the Flower Show at Hampton Court Palace, a magical setting if ever there were one. It runs from July 8-13. For more info, visit: rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt/2008/index.asp.

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