Minister to sing at anniversary show
A CHURCH minister is to entertain visitors at Loth and Helmsdale Flower Show Society’s 80th anniversary rose show on Saturday.
Rev John McGregor, who has only recently taken up the pulpit at Clyne Church of Scotland, will be singing and playing the guitar as well as presenting the prizes.
The show is normally held in the community centre but has changed venues for its anniversary to Old Loth Manse where a flower and baby show was first held in 1933.
Society president Mary Dudgeon said: "Word of the Rev McGregor’s grand singing voice and guitar playing reached the committee and he has been coaxed to entertain us on the day."
Young Helmsdale piper Findlay Adams (11), will also be providing atmosphere by piping in the woods as visitors wander round the garden at the manse.
Owners of Old Loth Manse, Peter Daniels and Sheila Dow, are looking forward to welcoming the show to their home and garden. The couple have lived there for around 18 years and have established their three-acre garden from scratch, laying 300 tonnes of Caithness stone as pathways.
Mr Daniels said: "When we first arrived, the walled garden was full of trees and we set to, cutting everything down and designing the garden anew."
Visitors will be able to wander round their flower and vegetable garden and view their peach tree, which is currently full of fruit, in the greenhouse.
Mr Daniels, a keen chef, has undertaken to cater at the event and will be offering homemade pork and venison burgers. Tea and other refreshments including strawberry tarts will also be served.
Proceeds from the event will be split between the flower show society and keen fisherman Mr Daniels’ chosen charity, the North Atlantic Salmon Fund.
The show starts at 2pm.
