20 Feb Interview with prize winner, CB (1)

‘My interest in growing fuchsias started after attending the Southport Flower Show with a friend in the late 70s/early 80s and seeing the Merseyside Fuchsia Group’s stand’.

I joined the group, but after they relocated I joined the Wigan Fuchsia Society instead. I became the group’s secretary a number of years ago and continue as secretary to date. The group meets monthly, and is now called Wigan Fuchsia and Garden Society in an attempt to broaden it’s appeal and encourage more people to join, which is an ongoing challenge.

‘I’ve always been interested in plants and this stemmed from my grandfather who had various things in his garden, including ducks and hens which I remember feeding’.

I had a small greenhouse when I first started, and didn’t know much about fuchsia until I joined the society. My interest in growing developed from there, although I had a little break when I had my daughter.