A permanent home for Giraudel/Eggleston Flower Show

Officials at the official opening of the Giraudel/Eggleston Flower Show on Thursday
Officials at the official opening of the Giraudel/Eggleston Flower Show on Thursday. Photo credit: Clement Richards, Bouzai Productions.

A two point six-acre property in Giraudel has been confirmed to be the permanent site where the Giraudel Eggleston Flower show will now be held.

The flower show is a national festival celebrating the floriculture industry and highlighting the art of large-scale cut floral arrangements.

The Show ,which was previously staged on the side of the road, has had to be shelved for several years due to the unavailability of a permanent structure to host it.

With an established site and a recently constructed building now a reality, organizers are planning to re-stage the show from May 18-26.

President of the Giraudel/ Eggleston Flower Growers Group Tephanie (Fanny) Royer is excited about this latest development.

She spoke at a ceremony to officially open the flower show building and to formally launch the 2013 Giraudel/Eggleston Flower Show and Market fair on Thursday.

“Our flower show has found a home. No more shifting of school children and school furniture, no more building and breaking, no more rushing in one weeks time to prepare and breakdown two days after,” said Royer.

PM Skerrit addressing the opening ceremony of the Flower Show
PM Skerrit addressing the opening ceremony of the Flower Show. Clement Richards, Bouzai Productions.

Dominica’s Chief Cultural Officer Raymond Lawrence complimented the organizers for their perseverance in keeping the show alive. Lawrence is convinced that the new flower show building will serve to enhance the overall flower show product.

“I am sure your flower show building now gives you a stronger sense in the community. There is now a home for the flower show and in that way you feel a greater sense of satisfaction and commitment and that you can now even take the flower show to a higher level in a way that only the people of Giraudel and Eggleston can do,” said Lawrence.

The Government of Dominica made a financial contribution of $80, 000.00 towards the construction of the flower show building.

Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau South constituency  Ambrose George, at Thursday’s formal launching ceremony, announced the further injection of Government funds to the Flower Growers group which will go towards meeting show expenses.

“I have the approval of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to announce to you today that an additional $40 thousand dollars will be granted to the Flower Growers Group to meet outstanding payments to the contractor for the building and to assist in meeting expenses related to the hosting of the 2013 Flower Show,” George confirmed.

The Global Environmental Facility (GEF), The Small Grants Program and the Community Management of Protected areas (COMPACT) also partnered with the Giraudel/Eggleston Flower Group in making this year’s flower show a reality.

Members of the public at the opening of the show
Members of the public at the opening of the show

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, commended the organizers of the show for creating economic activity in the twin communities of Giraudel and Eggleston through the staging of the show.

“The work of this group must be cited as a national endeavor. We have to support them as a Government to ensure that they can continue to provide that opportunity for all of us to come and marvel at such beautiful plants during the Flower show,” remarked the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister commended the communities of Giraudel and Eggleston for keeping true to embracing a sense of cleanliness.

“I am always very pleased to drive through Giraudel and Eggleston to see the continued keen interest in that spirit of pride, beautification and cleanliness because that makes a huge difference in the way we do business in this country,” he noted.

The Prime Minister further advised that “We must use Giraudel and Eggleston as a model to pattern on”.

Meanwhile the country’s Tourism Minister Ian Douglas is delighted that the flower show is being reintroduced this year. Douglas views the Flower Show as bringing significant economic benefits to the community.

The Minister encouraged residents of the twin communities to take ownership of the Flower show.

“This building is testimony of what the community can achieve against many odds if the people are willing to put their mind and energies to the task,” he said.

The Giraudel/Eggleston show was first held in 1973 and was staged for several years thereafter.

The last show was held nine years ago after heavy wind and rain destroyed the temporary structures where the show was previously held.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

24 Comments

  1. Let's talk
    May 11, 2013

    DNO, we all know what Dominica’s officials look like, in events such as these, may we get footage of the actual organizers of the mentioned event (the hard working people) or their work, the flowers, and other pieces of the events please?

    Thank you kindly, and continue doing these excellent coverages.

  2. YAP
    May 6, 2013

    The main thing missing here is an actual picture of the flowers..

    • May 6, 2013

      YAP May 6, 2013 The main thing missing here is an actual picture of the flowers

      I sincerely agree with you. The Prime Minister talked about the beauty of the two villages, but there was nothing of beauty in the area where he stood, in the photograph, to confirm what he said–even if he is right on! Only people like me would know that.

      Those kinds of events should be put on the Internet to attract outsiders, we will need to present evidence of the message and invitation which we are sending out to them.

  3. jax
    May 5, 2013

    Great news. Hope I am home for next years.

  4. jean bef
    May 4, 2013

    Miss Alfred will be proud!!

  5. william
    May 4, 2013

    It’s timely but hope they keep there promise we are watching.

  6. Atheist
    May 3, 2013

    Athie owns a Hotel in the area and is a Cornell graduate in Argronomy why was he not invited and held as an advisor seeing he lives .works from there this ought to be a no-brainer but politics again hindering progressI wrote Athiest and then Athie lol! someone would have sported that.

  7. May 3, 2013

    Sitting at my home and reading this info about a place I grew up is just astounding. Go my people go. What an honor to the organizers!!!!!!!

  8. Justice and Truth
    May 3, 2013

    I foresee how beautiful this new Flower Show will be, having its own home. This will assist in proper organization and an even better output and one which Dominicans and visitors will look forward to attending. If per chance I visit at that time when it is held, be it next year, I would love to attend. I am certain it will be “A Great Show” to see. Happy planning and good luck to all who will be involved in making the Flower Show a successful one.

  9. May 3, 2013

    “I am always very pleased to drive through Giraudel and Eggleston to see the continued keen interest in that spirit of pride, beautification and cleanliness because that makes a huge difference in the way we do business in this country,” he noted—Prime Minister Skerrit: News article.

    First of all, on behalf of the people of Giraudel and Eggleston, I say thank you to our Prime Minister and other Ministers of Government, for the contributions to and interest in the work of my people my people.

    Giraudel/Eggleston is only a few miles from Roseau, that community can become a tourist venue, for the benefit of all in Dominica.

    A tourist who visits a country like Dominica, do so because they are sick of the loud materialism at their own homes–they want something different, we have that difference in villages like Giraudel and Eggleston.

    Way to go! My people of Giraudel and of Eggleston! Continue to keep our village on the News Board of DNO right into the News Board of the World–for the sake of our Dominica. I am proud to say that I am from Giraudel in Dominica.

    Let us strive to make our Dominica a place to be proud of; our Leaders, a Government who has trust and confidence in our work; and our youth, the people who will look forward to the Life of tomorrow.

    Go my people! Just go for the good right into the best–I know that you know we cannot do it without God; just hold on to your faith, your trust, and humility in Him; and your obedience to His command; you will continue to know His grace–the bag of Love which He pours out onto us day after day–just give Him the glory.

    Blessings to all of you! Organizers of the flower show and all the rest!

  10. grell
    May 3, 2013

    Love it then they say nothing good about the government.

  11. Jaime/malgraysa
    May 3, 2013

    Get some flowers for TIM while you are there Medard

    • IAN
      May 5, 2013

      Sad what you wish for TIM you might get it for yourself or someone near you…please don’t make sarcastic fun about others.So flipping insensitive.

      Even in sickness and in death you all are politicking.

  12. sigh
    May 3, 2013

    so i gonna miss it again…why can’t it be in june?

  13. Anonymous
    May 3, 2013

    Always loved this show.

    • woy woy wwoy
      May 3, 2013

      My apologies! I was using my mobile phone and I selected thumbs down instead of thumbs up in error. Sorry… :-D

    • IAN
      May 5, 2013

      And your point is??????

  14. for ambi
    May 3, 2013

    Great event………..poor roads!

  15. sara bell
    May 3, 2013

    There is too much politricks in the village. It is a great idea to have the show back. Egggleston must bot be left behind. The MP Ambrose helped kill the show. I need a new braodbased organization to plan and deliver the show.

    • Giraudel
      May 3, 2013

      Before people like you speak about anything I will appreciate of you learn to spell. Secondly if you know about the history of the flower show you would know that it’s the same set of people who has been working there behinds off trying to have the event back again. Where were you when they were cleaning and planting and just cleaning up before the actual building was done. Or should I ask where were you when they were trying to raise the funds to get the building together.
      Hats off to all those who work and make sure the event is up and running again….. To the Alfred sisters, Giraudel sisters, Delsol, Thomas Letgan Royer and all the other ladies who make sure it going good keep it off. Rose Stephanie Vovo Joyce Sybill Bets anthea Ruth and crew keep it up.

  16. cockmako
    May 3, 2013

    ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh what about Eggleston area ? I hope they put a permanent place in Ki-belle also and rotate the venues every year. But I rather the longtime version we. It was more cosy. What we have to work on is car packing. I hope they have proper accounting of the money spent on that venue and monies to be spent etc, I hearing all kinds of stuff.
    Thank you PM but still we don’t want Ambruise George for our candidate of labor for the next elections; no way.Ten years and no flower show,What a blasted shame. THis area is very nice, cool and great.but NO MORE AMBROSE !!!!!

    • Justice and Truth
      May 3, 2013

      The Flower Show is the topic. This is not the appropriate arena to voice your frustrations and views pertaining to an elected politician. You’re spoiling the article and especially the excitement of those concerned who are elated that finally the Flower Show has a permanent home.

    • Giraudel
      May 3, 2013

      The land was donated to the group sure of the egglestion people come together and try to find some land they will also have the event too however it’s always gonna be Giraudel for the main event

  17. Anonymous
    May 3, 2013

    This is a wonderful event that should be promoted internationally or at least throughout the U.S. and Caribbean. I don’t know of any other flower show of this magnitude in the Caribbean. This is what utilizing your resources is all about. Dominica is known as the nature isle. Capitalize on this. Great Job Dominica!

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available