THE society behind the Shrewsbury Flower Show lost £216,000 last year, despite revenue from the annual show increasing.
Shropshire Horticultural Society recorded the loss for the year ending September 30 after taking a £98,000 hit on its stock market portfolio and increasing its charity donations, which included handing £150,000 to the St Chad’s Church restoration campaign.
But its takings from the flower show were up almost £12,000 on 2010, increasing from £817,945 to £829,641.
The organisation lost £97,934 on the financial markets, compared to a £321,150 profit in 2010.
And its donation to St Chad’s, Shrewsbury, contributed to its outgoings for charitable donations and grants leaping from £16,444 in 2010 to £185,221 last year.
Flower show takings rose from £817,945 to £829,641, while the society’s gross income went up from £987,765 to £999,675.
But the society’s gross expenditure rose from £953,546 in 2010 to £1,117,887 last year, largely due to the increase in its charitable donations.
Honorary treasurer Ann Tudor told the society’s AGM at Shirehall on Monday that the organisation was in a solid financial position, holding more than £5 million in assets.
Mrs Tudor said it was important the figures were taken in context.