Newsletter December 2009

2010 Ellerslie International Flower Show shaping up to be biggest in 15-year history

Ellerslie 2010 is reaching the exciting stage in its development with everyone – designers and exhibitors – putting the finishing touches to their designs and the venue lay-out almost complete. With almost 100 horticultural exhibits, including 30 gardens, Ellerslie 2010 is shaping up to be the biggest and best Show in the 15-year history of Ellerslie.

The Great Ellerslie Photo Competition returns in 2010 and I encourage everyone to get out with their cameras and Focus on Flowers this summer – the theme for next year’s competition. Competition organisers, The Fusion Trust, are asking everyone to “think outside the square” with their images, using flowers as the embryo to show some real flair and imagination in their images. Think of flowers in the broader sense, worn in the hair, used in children’s play, such as the making of daisy chains, at cemeteries, weddings and events like ANZAC Day – the options are endless. Entries close on Friday 12 February 2010. Check out the competition details click here or www.fusiontrust.co.nz

Gold award-winning Ellerslie International Flower Show garden designer Carl Pickens is asking all New Zealanders for their help in creating his garden for next year’s Show. The sustainable landscape architect and organic horticulturalist needs at least 2000 people to respond to his question – “What can we do to make the world a better place?” – by the end of January to help create his garden.

While details of the actual garden design are being kept under wraps until the Show, everyone who responses will find their answer embedded in the design. Please take a few minutes to go online at  www.oneearthmatters.co.nz and respond to the Ellerslie Question before the end of next month, then visit the garden at Ellerslie in 2010 and search for your answer – Carl guarantees it will be there.

With Christmas only a few days away, now is your last chance to buy tickets to next year's Ellerslie International Flower Show as gifts for family, friends and staff – and at Early Bird prices. Treat them to the Premier Garden Party – the glamorous opening and awards ceremony – where they will get to mix with the award-winning designers and view the gardens without the crowds or buy Diamond Club or Elite Experience tickets which will give them
priority viewing on the day. Tickets are available from the website www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz, Ticketek or Countdown supermarkets. If you haven’t already, why not also treat yourself to tickets to the Show, it’s Christmas after all and I’m sure you deserve them!

I’m very excited about the 2010 Ellerslie International Flower Show and look forward to welcoming you to the event in March.

Have a joyous festive season and a safe holiday.

Regards

BOB PARKER
MAYOR OF CHRISTCHURCH