PRINCESS Alexandra will formally open the sixth RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park on Wednesday, July 21. The Princess will tour the show-ground on the RHS members' preview day of the flower show, stopping off to see the show gardens, floral marquees and imaginative horticultural features at the show. She will then go on to a lunch hosted by RHS president, Sir Richard Carrew Pole, and chairman of Cheshire County Council, Councillor Barrie Hardern. This will be the second time the Princess has visited the show, she will be one of more than 100,000 garden-lovers expected to take a day out at this prestigious North West event. Tatton Park floral extravaganza will this year showcase the very latest in horticultural know-how, classical and adventurous garden design, fabulous floral marquees, including the finals of Inter-flora Florist of the Year, plus horticultural help and advice from the experts. Said County Councillor Hardern: 'The Princess will be the seventh Royal visitor to Tatton within the last decade and I'm delighted she will be with us in this very special year, as we celebrate signing the contract which will ensure the RHS show stays at Tatton Park for years to come.' RHS president Richard Carew Pole said: 'We are delighted the Princess will once again visit the Tatton show. Her visit recognises our mission to deliver inspiration for everyone with an interest in gardening; either to take home, and apply in their own garden or window box, or simply take pleasure in seeing the best in their field exhibit their horticultural craft.' The dramatic transformation of North West waterways into thriving centres for tourism and recreation will be in the spotlight this summer, as the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) takes centre stage with a spectacular floral display at the RHS Flower Show. Visitors will be able to walk through the feature which celebrates the beauty and diversity of water in the region. Rural images such as the tranquil Cheshire Meres and rugged Lake District will contrast with urban water scenes of Liverpool's impressive Mersey Waterfront and the historic Manchester Ship Canal. The NWDA is committed to the sustainable economic regeneration of England's North West and is working vigorously to aid waterside regeneration through a wide range of projects. These include the transformation of the New Cut Canal in Warrington into to a linear park with a safe walking and cycling route, and in Northwich, the world-famous Anderton Boat Lift has been restored to full working glory, and is now a major tourist attraction for the area. Liverpool is also benefiting from an ongoing NWDA investment of £8.7 million to develop a Mersey Waterfront Regional Park along 70 miles of coastline. Waterways from near and far have also been the inspiration for many other spectacular gardens at the show. Chester Zoo and English Nature will create mammal-friendly ponds to show how water can be a haven for wildlife, while the PDSA will include a calming stream to be enjoyed by dogs in its rural meadow landscape. Peter Tinsley will capture an oriental mood by using pond grasses and trickling waterfalls in his Japanese Tea Garden and Douglas Knight will design a traditional North West Rock and Water Garden using reclaimed local stone. * The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park runs from July 21-25. The ticket hotline can be contacted on 0870 906 3811. | 
