CHELSEA Flower Show fever may be in the air but Tavistock will be smelling of roses this weekend when it hosts its first ever garden festival. Focussed on the panner market, excited organisers are predicting that a good response to the festival on Sunday and Monday could pave the way for the Chelsea of the South West in years to come. Exhibitors, demonstrations and trade stands will fill the pannier market during the bumper weekend which will also see the Tavonians perform Canterbury Tales from Thursday to Saturday and an Antiques Fayre in the town hall on Sunday. All part of the celebrations to mark the 900th anniversary of the market charter, the festival is also part of a plan to create a buzzing Tavistock on bank holiday weekends. Deputy town clerk Rosie Keyhoe said apart from the Balloon Fiesta in August, bank holidays were quiet in Tavistock with not much going on. ?We would like to change all that because we want to attract people to the town who have perhaps not been here before and provide something for the local residents as well,? she said. ?An interiors show is another idea we have in the pipeline for next year. ?This garden festival could be the start of something on a much bigger scale in years to come with exhibits all the way through the Meadows ? we will have to see what happens this weekend.? The pannier market will be very much like one of Chelsea?s exhibition tents with plant and nursery exhibits, stalls and stands and displays. One area will be given over to talks, including two by head gardener of the nationally renowned Garden House at Buckland Monachorum Matt Bishop, and demonstrations by Tavistock Flower Club on how to arrange flowers. There will be everything from herbaceous plants to herbs, grasses to garden machinery, and Tim Miller from the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens will also be there to give expert advice. Rosie said with the pannier market and the town hall Tavistock could provide a great day out whatever the weather: ?We have two big areas that are under cover and with the weather we have on Dartmoor, these are a real advantage when it comes to holding events. ?We obviously hope the sun shines but if it does not, the event will not alter in any way. ?We hope the festival will appeal to all garden enthusiasts ? whether you live in a flat with a window box or a mansion with rolling acres ?there will be lots to see and do.? The Pannier Market Garden Festival runs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday and Monday and is free to enter.
