'As fine as Chelsea'

GREEN-fingered gardeners flocked in their thousands to the 12th Garden Festival at Holker Hall last weekend.

More than 26,000 people made the trip to inspect the acers and aspidistras at what is fast becoming one of the best, and best-loved, horticultural events in the North of England. Crowds were so keen on the first day that organisers had to open the gates and let them in 15 minutes early.

Inside the gardens and parkland of the great estate they were treated to hundreds of spectacular and beautiful displays in marquees brimming with horticultural excellence, rare and endangered species and plants of every description.

Kim Wilde, 1980s pop icon turned garden designer, was hard at work over the three days producing a Wonderland show garden.

"It's a chance for people to see how a show garden is put together," she said, "They can come by in the morning and see it change throughout the day."

For Kim, whose in-laws live in Cumbria, the county "feels like home from home" and she has taken from it her inspiration for a garden she is planning for Chelsea RHS Show next year. She will also be coming back to Holker in 2005.

"I absolutely love Holker. This is my third time. Standards here are very high and the exhibitions are every bit as good as Chelsea, if not better, and it's a great family day out."

Such comparisons with the world-famous Chelsea show were commonplace with judges praising "highest standards of integrity and exhibition quality" and variously described the event as "the best show in the North of England" and "as fine a show as Chelsea".

Ron and Marion Farrington, from Bramhall, Cheshire, were visiting Holker for the first time and were clearly impressed.

"We usually go to Southport but I think this is much better. I'm very impressed, it's just superb, it really is," said Mrs Farrington.

Lord and Lady Cavendish, of Holker Hall, had clearly poured their hearts into the festival. Lord Cavendish said: "The essence of this show is attention to detail."

They are proud of the informality and the accessibility of their event compared to Chelsea: "We have high standards but we wouldn't want the pressure of Chelsea what we particularly want is for everyone to have a good weekend.

"The show gardens at Chelsea are so designed who could really have a garden like that? This is much more accessible."

Lord Cavendish said that, while the show would go on getting better, it would not necessarily get any bigger: "I think we may have the footprint about right now, but we are always looking to improve."

Among the garden designers displaying their works was Zoe Norman, from Leece, near Ulverston.

As if to prove that fruit does not fall far from the tree, Ms Norman, who graduated from the Newton Rigg College in landscape management and design last year, was showing her Silver Gilt winning Enchanted Garden next door to her old college's own exhibition garden.

"It is competitive here, but people are also very friendly and helpful too."

The event was also a big success for St Mary's Hospice, in Ulverston. Sunflowers on sale to raise money for the hospice went like hot cakes with the 2,500 supply selling out entirely on Friday.

Carol Campbell, bursar of St Mary's, said: "It has been excellent probably one of our best days ever."

l Next year's Garden Festival at Holker Hall will be held on June 3, 4 and 5.