Burgess Hill Horticultural Society’s virtual spring show a success

On Saturday, March 28, Burgess Hill Horticultural Society’s spring flower and produce show was due to take place at Cyprus Hall in Cyprus Road, Burgess Hill.
Class 54 Judith Parsons Burgess Hill Horticultural SocietyClass 54 Judith Parsons SUS-200330-163058001Class 54 Judith Parsons Burgess Hill Horticultural SocietyClass 54 Judith Parsons SUS-200330-163058001
Class 54 Judith Parsons Burgess Hill Horticultural SocietyClass 54 Judith Parsons SUS-200330-163058001

The hall should have been filled with glorious scents, colours and admiring visitors.

However, because of the coronavirus lockdown, the show had to be cancelled.

Instead, the society decided to hold a virtual show.

Class 42 Christina Lea Burgess Hill Horticultural Society SUS-200330-163038001Class 42 Christina Lea Burgess Hill Horticultural Society SUS-200330-163038001
Class 42 Christina Lea Burgess Hill Horticultural Society SUS-200330-163038001
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Flo Whitaker, Burgess Hill Horticultural Society’s spokesman, said: “The first recorded horticultural show in Burgess Hill took place in 1884 and we’ve been holding shows ever since, including during World War II, when there was a very active Dig for Victory group in the town.

“Planning a show starts a year in advance and no-one could remember us cancelling a show before, so we wondered if we could harness modern technology and stage a virtual show instead.

“We emailed our membership, asking them to enter classes, set up their exhibits at home, photograph them and send the pictures to us for display on our website.

“Tim Kendell, our IT guru, set up a virtual Cyprus Hall on our website, allowing folk to click on a link and view the exhibits.

Class 27 Flo Whitaker Burgess Hill Horticultural Society SUS-200330-163017001Class 27 Flo Whitaker Burgess Hill Horticultural Society SUS-200330-163017001
Class 27 Flo Whitaker Burgess Hill Horticultural Society SUS-200330-163017001
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“The idea was to try and have a bit of fun and raise a smile in these difficult times.

“It seems to have worked - people have left some lovely comments.”

She said the website has had hundreds of visitors, and the show has been shared on Facebook.

The summer show is due to take place on Saturday, June 27.

Flo said: “Should we still be in a lockdown situation, we’ll have another virtual event.

“After all, the show must go on!”

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