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Sun comes out for Party in the Park

18/ 7/2008

HUNDREDS flocked to Philips Park on Sunday as floral fun developed into a big party.

The flower-themed Party in the Park was a riot of colour, with lots of 'planty' activities and entertainment as the sun shone.

Community artists from Gorton Visual Arts helped pupils from four local schools - Ashbury Meadow, Ravensbury, St Brigid's and St Clements - and residents from Olivia Lodge supported housing create a field of flowers using recycled materials.

Street performers and performance artists included Greenhouse Mayhem - with its out-of-control exotic plants a-la Little Shop of Horrors - a family flowery circus show, Urban Angels stiltwalkers, amazing balloon modelling and the Space Cadets with giant inflatable flowers.

Visitors could also create their own giant bubbles and foam towers, create grass seed hedgehogs, decorate plantpots and visit local allotments and a community orchard.

The more energetic experienced the rigours of the Urbanathlon, a 10K race run using urban obstacles such as concrete blocks and cars, which started at the City stadium and finished in the park.

An East Factor talent contest and roadshow was also run by community radio station All FM, which has a base at the Venture Centre in Mill Street, Clayton.

Shocked Higher Openshaw resident Beryl Shaw was also crowned winner of the East Manchester gardening competition after putting her colouful patio up for scrutiny.

Seventy-five-year-old Mrs Shaw, of Neston Street, won the patio section of the annual contest last year but applied for the main prize this time because there was no patio section.

She said: "I have lots of pots and hanging baskets and move them around. Sometimes I change it two or three times a week.

"I enjoy doing it, it gives me pleasure.

"It was a nice surprise to win."