Sandringham flower show 2007

MEMORIES OF 2006

> View a video of the 2006 show

Andrew Bailey of Bressingham Garden Centre. The garden is called 'Rusty's Retreat'.

Chris Cox of Mulberry Tree Gardens working on 'Mayhem at Flower Pot Cottage (Mrs Miggins couldn't understand what was eating her lupins).

Amanda Hampton and Ken Tungate working on their entry 'Our Garden'.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall on a tour of the Sandringham Flower Show.

One of Norfolk’s most historic annual events has taken a leap into the 21st century – by going online.

The Sandringham Flower Show now has its own website, which provides a comprehensive package of information for visitors and exhibitors.

The show, which dates back to the 1860s, will be held on Wednesday, July 25 this year, with its patron, the Prince of Wales, and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, expected to make their customary visit and so continue the event’s long and much-cherished links with the Royal Family.

Attractions will include hot-air balloon flights above the showground, weather permitting, show gardens, the flower, fruit and vegetable classes, a Victorian steam fairground, displays by leading nurseries, crafts, trade stands, talks by gardening experts and main arena activities.

“We decided after last year’s show that we ought to have a website to make the information more readily available,” explained treasurer Paul Murrell, who laid out the site.

“So many people do now look to the internet for guidance as to what’s going on in a particular area. Obviously it will also enable us to reach a far wider market as well, particularly with the coach firms that are planning excursions and people who live away from the area, who wouldn’t see our local advertising.

“But it’s also providing a far wider catchment area for us for people who exhibit.”

As well as details about the attractions on offer at this year’s show, which will again be held in association with the EDP, the website has a photo gallery, information about bookings and admission prices and a list of frequently asked questions.

" There are also a series of links to other sites, including those belonging to the Sandringham estate, the EDP, West Norfolk Council and the two celebrity gardeners involved in the event, Chris Beardshaw and Alan Mason.

Mr Murrell said there were plans to add further links to exhibitors taking part in the show.

“I am really pleased with it,” he said. “If you haven’t been to the show before you get the feeling of the show.

“I think it was a natural progression from how we were. We never want to change the traditional character of the show but the management of that show and the advertising of that show has to move with the times.

“It will never take the place of local advertising but it’s a very useful tool to complement it.”

> www.sandringhamflowershow.org.uk.

> View a video of last year's show