This will be the third time that Brighton Lions Club has cooperated with the Friends of Withdean Park to put on the Lilac Lark, a sort of fete cum garden party in the park. Withdean Park has many lilacs which were, at one time, recognised as the national collection. Sadly, due to council cutbacks, they are not being sufficiently well looked after and the national collection recognition has been withdrawn. All the same. the fete is held on the second Sunday in May - which should coincide with the lilacs being just about at their best. They were last year:
Being a member of both the Lions and the Friends, it is natural that I should coordinate the joint effort. We do try to make this a fairly gentle affair with no brash burger vans, just old-fashioned stalls and sideshows scattered among the lilacs. We go for things like bowling for a pig, tombola, throw the ball in the bucket and coconut shy plus plant sales and refreshments. There is a dog show as well. This year I hope to book a Punch and Judy show. You can't get much more traditional than that, even if the show did originate in Italy.
5 comments:
I love flowers but don't have any luck growing them. I was once in London during the Chelsea Flower Show and the entire city seemed to shut down.
It sounds like a really wonderful event -- I wish I lived closer as it would be something I would not want to miss.
It sounds like a really wonderful event -- I wish I lived closer as it would be something I would not want to miss.
Ah, lilacs... the better part of Spring! This post triggered two very fond memories.
First: there was a HUGE stand of lilacs right outside my office window at RAF Uxbridge. My office also had old fashioned casement windows which I could... and did... throw open on warm Spring and summer days. The scent of lilacs wafting in the windows was overpowering, at times.
Second: I spent four or five years in Rochester, NY and they have an annual Lilac Festival, which is the first big event of Spring in that area. It's a Great Good Time, too... and something i NEVER missed.
I agree with The Broad...I wish I lived closer. I didn't understand what any of the games were, but I'd love to see it!
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