Display with a difference at Ellerslie International Flower Show

The Christchurch Woodturners Association will have a display with a difference when it exhibits for the first time at the 2013 Ellerslie International Flower Show.

The association has entered the Hort Galore category of the Show, being held in North Hagley Park from 6 to 10 March, and will have some of their best wood turning pieces on display within the Alice’s Adventures in Woodland: After the tea party exhibit.

Organising committee chairman Peter Clemett says the display is an outdoor fantasy scene, which will have a number of quirky elements and visual surprises for spectators.

“The setting is the corner of a country courtyard garden, where a Mad Hatter-style tea party has been held and all the participants have left, leaving the table setting in disarray and the remnants of high tea and revelry behind.

“There will be turned and crafted wood items throughout the exhibit and many of the natural elements of the scene will also be crafted from wood. These will be intermingled with living plants to appear as if they too are part of the botany and zoology of this fantasy world.”

The Christchurch Woodturners Association has more than 100 members. It decided to enter New Zealand’s premier garden show to showcase their work to the wider community.

Exhibition Manager Kate Hillier is thrilled to have a different type of display amongst the mix of traditional favourites in the Hort Galore category.

“While they are not typical of the usual exhibitors in the category, clearly the raw material of the woodturner’s craft is drawn from horticulture and complements what Ellerslie is all about – showcasing to the public gardens with a wow factor.”

She says visitors to next year’s show are again guaranteed to be impressed by the high-quality, world-class horticultural exhibits that will be on display.

With Christmas just one week away, now is the time to buy discounted tickets at Early Bird prices to next year's Ellerslie International Flower Show as gifts for family, friends and staff. Tickets are available from the website www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz, Mitre 10 Mega Stores in Christchurch, Ashburton and Timaru, Terra Viva and Nichols Garden Centres.