Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2013 | Page 72

OUT & ABOUT IW Spring Garden Show Thousands flock to Robin Hill for a weekend of flowers, fun and even gnome pimping! This year’s sixth annual IW Spring Garden Show again proved a huge success with thousands of visitors converging on Robin Hill Adventure Park and Gardens. After the disappointment of last year, when bad weather forced its cancellation, there were plenty of stalls and attractions for everyone to enjoy, including the jovial 'Pimp a Gnome’ competition, in aid of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. People could buy a gnome and then paint and dress it up to their own style, 72 www.visitislandlife.com with IW Bestival’s Rob and Josie da Bank the gnome judges. The Chainsaw Carving Championship was won by Ant Beetlestone with his sculpture 'Wandering Bear’, and in the Floral Marquee John Trott of Mendip Bonsai successfully defended the title he won two years ago. BBC 2’s new Food and Drink presenter Kate Goodman was the guest at the World of Wine exhibition, and hosted wine master-classes during the weekend.