A Southern Vectis planter was seen in an unexpected appearance at the prestigious BBC Gardeners’ World Live exhibition event that was held in Birmingham earlier this month (16th – 19th June).
Visitors to Newport Bus Station would have spotted a unique planter – in the shape of a Southern Vectis bus – as it spent last summer outside the travel shop before recently undergoing a refurbishment and re-plant before it was then taken to the NEC in Britain’s second city by Southern Vectis’ partners, Visit Isle of Wight.
Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis general manager, said:
“We commissioned the Island’s John Miller to build this wonderful creation, and the end result received numerous favourable comments from customers visiting us at the bus station.
“It was so well received, that Visit Isle of Wight decided to take it with them to their stand at the famous exhibition – where it was just as popular. I’d like to thank John for his efforts. He made our buses a real talking point among keen gardeners – something we would never have envisaged.”
Planter creator, John Miller, added:
“I was flabbergasted to learn that my Southern Vectis planter reached as far as Birmingham – and generated so much attention from those visiting both Newport Bus Station and the NEC.
“It’s incredible that one of my creations ended up at Gardeners’ World Live!”
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Will Myles, managing director of Visit Isle of Wight, said:
“Our visitors to the Island and locals alike love the Southern Vectis planters that are positioned around the Island, so when we were planning the Island’s stand at Gardeners World Live! exhibition in Birmingham, it was the a ‘no-brainer’ to show and share with potential visitors what they could see around the Island when they visit.”
A lot of visitors might like the planters, but most visitors are shocked that southern vectis don’t offer a return ticket.