East Yorkshire grown flowers boost air ambulance

Gill Hodgson grows more than 80 varieties of flowers in the garden of her home in Everingham near York and heads up a network of 300-plus growers around the country, known as Flowers from the Farm, which tries to compete with the big trade in imported flowers.

It was this mission which took Mrs Hodgson and her own business venture, Field House Flowers, to the Harrogate show last week where her artistic display, featuring a mannequin wearing a long, flowing dress arranged out of flowers, attracted a Silver Gilt award from judges in the Garden Show and The People’s Choice award, as voted for by the public.

Mrs Hodgson also used her presence at the show to make buttonhole arrangements for visitors to wear in exchange for charitable donations in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. And she charged 20p for sniffs of a bowl of sweet peas.

Gill Hodgson's 'flower lady' which drew attention at the Great Yorkshire Show.

BBC television presenter Harry Gration and former Yorkshire cricketer Geoffrey Boycott were among those who wore a buttonhole after visiting the stand, and overall £968.74 was raised for the charity.

Mrs Hodgson, who is due to give a talk at tomorrow’s Driffield Show, told The Yorkshire Post: “I am delighted to reach that fundraising total for a charity which is close to the hearts of everyone in Yorkshire.”