Peel Gardeners’ Association is celebrating 75 years of existence but this year could be one of its last.

The association is holding its annual general meeting on Thursday, March 23, at 7.45pm, in the Guild Room in Atholl Street in Peel, and is appealing for help.

Peel Gardeners’ Show is an annual favourite in the town’s calendar of events, organised by the Gardeners’ Association, but with organisers getting older the show is now in serious danger of finishing.

Three of the organisers, Robert Quayle, Leslie Halsall and Peter Daugherty are all in their eighties and have been involved for many years. The rest of the Association are all over 70 so getting new volunteers is vital to the show continuing.

Around fifty cups were up for grabs at last year’s popular show in a vast array of categories, such as crafts, gardening and .

The show is usually held in August or September, but chairman Robert Quayle says that, unless new volunteers do come forward, it could be end for the organisation.

Mr Quayle said: ’The future of Peel Gardeners’ Association could be in jeopardy in the not too distant future, even though the Peel Gardeners’ Shows have been extremely successful in the past.

’It’s probably the premier show on the island but unfortunately the members organising the show have become a lot older, three being in their mid-eighties and the remainder averaging seventy-plus.

’In the future they will not be able to set the show up, move tables, boards and chairs.

’As it only requires approximately two days per year to undergo this work we would appeal to some recently retired people, or indeed anyone who would be available, to help us to ensure that the show will go on.

’It would be wonderful if we could go on to celebrate a century of providing a show for Peel.

’We are very fortunate as whenever we have had the show in the past, at the end, people have stayed behind to help us distmantle everything otherwise we would have to pay for the hall for an extra day if we had to leave that until the next day.’

Mr Quayle went on to say that it would be a ’great shame’ if the association had to end as it has been one of the highlights of Peel’s activities through the years.

’Our secretary Margaret Kennaugh has filled that position for nearly 55 years,’ said Mr Quayle.

’Surely that must be a record and I feel it’s something that should be recorded.

’It would be nice to get some younger people involved.’

Anyone who may be able to help is asked to attend the annual general meeting on March 23 or contact Robert Quayle on 843157.