Black Isle flower show gets crafty

ONE of the craft classes at the annual flower show at the north’s biggest farming event will benefit a local branch of a charity which supports people with dementia.

The 181st Black Isle Show takes place on August 1 and 2. The popular annual open flower show which is part of the crowd-puller also includes a craft section with almost 100 different competition categories.

Entrants in the craft category are this year being challenged to make a Twiddlemitt which provides comfort and sensory stimulation to people with dementia.

After the show, with the exhibitors’ permission, all the Twiddlemitts will be donated to the local branch of the Alzheimer’s Society.

Freida Mckenzie, junior vice president of the society and part of the Flower Show Committee, said: "Every year the flower and craft show is hugely popular. About 10 years ago we added the craft element and each year we have asked entrants to make something for a charity. In the past we have donated to SCBU at Raigmore Hospital and the Freedom From Fistula Foundation.

Last year, we asked competitors to make hats and neck warmers for the Invergordon Seafarers’ Centre and now we are supporting Alzheimer’s Society with the Twiddlemitts. It’s fun to get people trying to make new things."

A junior craft section returns for the 12-16 year old age group while for younger children options include making a jar full of pretty things, a miniature bird house or a model of a pig.

Flower show sections include floral art; cut flowers; soft fruit; vegetables and pot plants. There is also a photography section with a theme of fur or feather with a junior class for 16 years and under and adult for over 16.

Making a comeback this year will be the dancing sheep and back after a spell away is Monster Truck Big Pete.

Schedules for the flower show are now available on the Black Isle Show website www.blackisleshow.com. For further information contact 01349 861663 or 07760 133865 or email bifsflowershow@outlook.com