ATTENDANCE for the second Great Garden and Countryside Festival at Holker Hall soared on it's opening day when more than double the number of visitors from the previous year passed through the gates in 1993.

PLAY: Bands, entertainers and performances joined the festival, much to the enjoyment of the visitors

PLAY: Bands, entertainers and performances joined the festival, much to the enjoyment of the visitors

With the advance tickets sales and coach bookings booming it seemed that organisers' hopes to attract 20,000 to the floral and countryside extravaganza would be proven correct.

There was plenty for the crowds to enjoy at the ‘magical mix of horticulture and countryside’ which has gained a reputation as one of the country’s leading flower shows.

There was a gardeners’ question time and experts were on hand to give advice and demonstrations.

BALANCE: Jukalo the Juggler and his 5 year old assistant Thomas Pearson from Allithwaite

BALANCE: Jukalo the Juggler and his 5 year old assistant Thomas Pearson from Allithwaite

An array of rural crafts included dry stone walling, slate riving, basket making and charcoal burning.

Local exhibitors included the Furness Bee Keepers, South Lakeland Organic Gardeners and Muncaster Garden and Owl Centre.

Horticultural exhibits drew praise and festival host Lord Cavendish said: “After Chelsea judges felt this was the best standard they had seen.”

IMPRESSED: Lord Whitelaw and Robert Batty, Head Gardener at Muncaster Castle pictured at the festival

IMPRESSED: Lord Whitelaw and Robert Batty, Head Gardener at Muncaster Castle pictured at the festival

Winners of the gold medals and best in show in the Festival Gardens class was St Mary’s Hospice, Ulverston, whose prizewinning garden designed by Russell Dodd of Hillfoot Garden Centre, earned a prestigious trophy and £250.

Proprietor John Dodd promptly donated the cash to St Mart’s Hospice and appeals co-ordinator Shirley Clark said: “We are delighted John Dodd and his family.”

Barrow Flower Club took third prize in the Garden Show Fantasy floral art class with their impressive exhibit by Pearl Knight, Marie Slann and Sally Hart.

BUILD: Donald Bell and Leslie Elwell from Burlington demonstrated how a roof slate was made

BUILD: Donald Bell and Leslie Elwell from Burlington demonstrated how a roof slate was made

It included white lilies, palm leaves brought from Barbados by club chairman Mary Fisher and terracotta pots made by Dalton Pottery.

T.H. Barker and son, from Baines Paddock Nursery, Haverthwaite, in their first ever competition won a bronze medal with their cottage garden display. The event has never failed to see a busy year, and the number of visitors has been growing year on year, even to its more recent years.