A TOWN’S popular horticultural show was back with a bloom as crowds packed into Dalton’s Charnley’s Home and Garden centre.

Dalton and District Horticultural Society’s annual show provided a platform for gardeners and plant enthusiasts to display their fruits, crops and hard-earned produce, all achieved through meticulous cultivation skills.

However, this year’s show has had to leap over many hurdles including an unexpected fire on the society’s allotment, close to the grounds of Dowdales School in January.

The fire devastated much of the beloved horticultural show’s produce, but even at that point organisers were confident the show would rise from the ashes.

Society secretary Linda Steeley said: “The fire wiped out the main hub of the allotment and most of the produce.

“But we received grants from the Sir John Fisher Foundation and the Eric Wright Charity Trust.

“This funding allowed us to turn it around after the fire.”

As well as securing funding, the society were given a lift by local businesses too, including Ulverston-based Thor Atkinson Steel Fabrications, who donated a new roof to the fire-ravaged allotment hub.

Councillor Ben Shirley said: “The reaction of businesses during the aftermath of the fire is a great example of the community pulling together.”

Society chair Don Hillman said: “Our main aim is to encourage more people, especially children, to get involved with growing produce.

“The world is going more sustainable, so it’s very important to get through to kids now because they’re the leaders of tomorrow.

“This year we’ve introduced new areas such as the Giant Vegetable Island table and obviously we’re now housed in Charnley’s centre, after years of being in the Dalton Community Centre.”

Dalton mayor Nick Perie said: “It’s a important, traditional show for Dalton.”

Ms Steeley said: “Horticulture isn’t just about crop-growing, it’s therapeutic and great for mental health recovery.”