With a great deal of effort (not to be underestimated!), I have resisted the urge to shout, “I told you so!” extremely loudly and frequently. Having spent more than twenty years espousing the virtues of East London, and particularly Newham, as ”the centre of the universe”, it is with a measure – and not a small one either – of smugness, that I witness the success of the Olympics.
That said, I have discovered a new “centre of the universe”, Lancashire; specifically, Southport. Were you under the misapprehension that Southport was in Merseyside? No, it is not, it never has been and it never will be. Southport has a Lancastrian postcode for a reason and sentient beings know why!
Yesterday, I experienced The Southport Flower Show for the first time. It was fabulous! I accept my prejudice against all things non-London and went to Victoria Park with more than a hint of gloom at the potentially parochial nature of the whole event; not a bit of it. I left – six hours later – vastly humbled by my previous ignorance, inspired by the enthusiasm and skill of numerous craftsmen and craftswomen, and motivated to try to emulate their purposeful activity.
The Show was a combination of Chelsea, various fairs at Olympia and Excel, a little Kew Gardens and a lot of originality. Entry would be more than doubled, were it held in the capital and one day was insufficient to fully appreciate all that was on offer. It was intelligent, informative and interesting; words which I haven’t used in connection with a show for a very long time.
Precariously laden, I left with a glow, birthday presents, Christmas presents, invitations to join various clubs and societies and a wonderful whole wild salmon purchased for a song from a fisherman.
Lancashire is the new “centre of the universe”. Don’t take my word for it and don’t wait twenty years to realise that I am right!
