Countryside activities on offer

(Date of issue: Thursday, 30 April 2009)

The chance for local youngsters to ‘plant their own pot’ will be offer at this weekend’s Spring Show event in Carlisle.

Carlisle City Council Green Spaces team will be using recycled plant pots and will be encouraging visitors to the Bitts Park event to muck-in and plant their own salad pot. Free tomato, lettuce and vegetable plants will be offered up.

Other countryside activities will include Bird of Prey displays, craft demonstrations and the opportunity to have a ‘birds eye’ view of the park by donating £1 to stand in a ‘cherry picker’. All money raised with be donated to the Mayor of Carlisle’s Charity Fund.

The Spring Show will be back to its blooming best this May and for the first time, will include Made in Cumbria traders selling crafts and food.

The Carlisle City Council event will be held in Bitts Park and Victoria Park over the May bank holiday weekend (Sunday, 3 May and Monday, 4 May). Thousands of people are expected to attend the horticultural show.

In addition to the Made in Cumbria craft stalls and catering village, there are more than 40 traders and exhibitors selling a variety of plants and garden accessories. Children are also catered for with a Children’s Activity Marquee with arts and crafts, a children’s ride and Daffy Dill - children’s entertainer.

Music will be provided by the Lairds of Dixieland Jazz Band who are sure to provide a vibrant atmosphere to complement the Countryside and Green Spaces team’s exhibits and the Horticultural and the Floral Art marquees displays.

The show will take place on Sunday, 3 May and Monday, 4 May, between 10am and 5pm. The floral art marquee will open from noon on Sunday, 3 April (to allow judging to take place). Admission is £2.50 (accompanied children under 16 have free admission).

Bitts Park (Dacre Road) car park will be closed to the public on both days of the event, but alternative parking is available close to the venue. Car parking charges apply on both days.