Squire’s Garden Centres in Shepperton saw the welcome return of its annual Rose Festival held at the end of June, in partnership with The Rose Society UK, the national society for the nation’s favourite flower.
After a two-year break due to Covid restrictions - and the only years the event hasn’t taken place in its 45-year history - The Rose Festival returned with resounding success and much to the enjoyment of exhibitors, visitors and organisers alike. First held back in 1977 in the year of Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee, the event has become an annual fixture and a special highlight for the Squire’s business. The Rose Festival made a timely return this year, for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, comments: ”We were delighted to be able to host The Rose Festival this year and so pleased it was so well-supported, with exhibitors travelling from far and wide across the UK to share their stunning roses and their creativity. It was wonderful to see many familiar faces being with us and a true celebration of ‘the queen of flowers’.
”We had music from the renowned Panama Café Orchestra jazz band, wonderful weather conditions - which were just right for roses - and exquisite floral art displays brought along from the Walton & Weybridge Flower Club. While exhibitors travelled many miles to come to the event, it was also a wonderful community event with local visitors enjoying the displays and general atmosphere.”
Secretary of the Rose Society, Ray Martin, comments: “We were delighted to be back at Squire’s Garden Centres in Shepperton for our Rose Festival after an absence of two years and even more delighted that it was such a resounding success and enjoyed by so many. We had a great turn-out of exhibitors attending, which demonstrates growers are keen to get back to showing off their wonderful rose displays! We would like to thank the Squire’s Shepperton team for hosting the event once again and helping make the event such a success. This event is very important to us and our members - and in fact it’s probably the largest event of its type in Europe.”
