Standing on the gates of Shrewsbury Flower Show has become something of a tradition for 80-year-old Ray Powell and this weekend will mark his 60th and final year.
Since the summer of 1950, Mr Powell, of Longden Road, has been selling tickets on the gates of the Quarry for the landmark event which attracts thousands of visitors every year. But Saturday will be his last day, after deciding it was time to enjoy the show purely as a visitor and let the ‘younger ones’ have a go at holding the fort.
The grandfather-of-two, who is also a member of the Meole Brace Garden and Allotment Club, said he always looks forward to the show which has continued to feed his love for horticulture.
“The flower show is a landmark event every year and I’ve always looked forward to the show because I’ve got a big interest in horticulture and I’ve got my own allotment,” he said.
“I’m hoping that my grandchildren will follow in my footsteps at the flower show as it would be nice for them to continue in my role. When you’re selling tickets on the gates it’s amazing how many people you see – some of whom come back every year – and everything about the show is very interesting, it’s fantastic.”
He added: “On August 26 I will turn 81 and I feel the time is right to let some of the younger ones give the role a go.”
Maelor Owen, gate chairman at the show, thanked Ray for his loyal service. “Ray is an incredible member of the gate staff who is loyal and dedicated and without people like him it would be difficult to run the show,” he said. “We extend our grateful thanks to him and we wish him well in his retirement.”
The two-day spectacle starts tomorrow, Friday, and accompanied children under 16 can enter for free. Show chairman Mike Carver said each day’s 12-hour programme of continuous entertainment was ‘a traditional mix which cannot be matched anywhere else in the UK.”
