Renewed support sees return of Mangawhai flower show

JULIA WADE

7 Nov, 2022

After four years of lying dormant, a popular, quintessential display which brought the marvel of blossoms to locals every year is sprouting and ready to bloom once again.

For 66 years, Mangawhai Women’s Institute’s [MWI] Floral and Craft Show was held every November, a fusion of homegrown spectacular colour, sweet fragrance and aroma of homemade treats, showcasing MWI’s members. panache for gardening, baking and creativity.

Sadly, after serving the community for over 80 years, MWI had to fold in 2019 after long-serving members stepped down from their official roles and new members could not be found to keep the organisation in operation. Along with MWI’s philanthropic and often unrecognised deeds – including fundraising for various local groups, handcraft such as calico dolls for children in hospitals and overnight bags for Women’s Refuge – the annual flower show also came to an end.

However, thanks to two local women, Laureen Medcalfe and Sandra Brunt, the show has been re-seeded – albeit with a little pruning – and locals will once again be able to delight in the display of blooms at Mangawhai’s Library Hall on November 22.

Sandra says the passing of long-standing MWI member Trish Black in June this year was the catalyst for bringing the show back to the community and the idea has been well supported by the old committee and members.

“It was Laureen’s grand idea and she hauled me into it as we were part of the organisers of the original Mangawhai Garden Ramble when our kids were babies,” she says. “We had a lot of fun doing that so decided why not. The show had a run in Mangawhai for 66 years so it will be great to see its return, seems a shame to see such a wonderful event disappear after all those years.”

Sponsored by local gardening features business Faraway Gardens, and the soon-to-be opened Bunnings Mangawhai, the ‘free to enter and free to view’ show now has three categories: Cut flowers, vegetables and decorative. Garden-related stalls will also be on site outside the hall along with a coffee cart for refreshments.

“We have our own touches added, trying to condense things a bit so will just see how it goes,” Sandra says. “So far there has been a lot of positive interest, everything is in place and we hope there is good support of the show. We’re also not really into rules but our only rule is ‘if you have grown it, you can show it!’ It’s all about having a fun day and having a go.”

For 66 years locally-grown blossoms have delighted visitors at the annual floral and craft show, set to return after a four-year hiatus, bringing vibrant colour and sweet fragrance back to the Mangawhai Village Library Hall. PHOTO/FILE