A WOMAN who grew up in Hook is the new manager of one of the Royal Horticultural Society’s premier events in Wales.

The annually anticipated floral spectacular, RHS Flower Show Cardiff will return to the Welsh capital’s stunning Bute Park between April 13 and 15, and will embrace Visit Wales’ Year of the Sea.

The theme is particularly close to the heart of new show manager, Anna Skibniewski-Ball, who hails from the village of Hook.

“Enjoying a childhood in growing up in Pembrokeshire, I was so fortunate to be able to have the very best of the beautiful Welsh coastline right on my doorstep.

“I think I can track my childhood by the beaches - from Tenby as a family favourite, to Newgale as a teenager so this year’s theme is particularly special for me,” said Anna.

Anna’s family has always loved the outdoors, and from a young age her father, an associate minister at Tabernacle Congregational Chapel in Haverfordwest, Freystop Congregational Chapel and Mount Zion URC in Hook, encouraged a passion for gardening.

"I was lucky enough to grow up by the river in a front garden surrounded by fruit trees and home-grown herbs so I suppose my interest in all things horticultural was sparked then!"

Anna now lives in St Albans with husband Chris and Hermione the cat, but loves any opportunity to get back to Wales.

“Cardiff just offers the perfect mix of city, country and coastal life – all within such close distance - and I’m so looking to being a part of bringing this year’s show to the capital.

“We are pulling together the finishing touches for the Show and it promises to be another spectacular celebration of spring, creativity and gardening.

“The support of Welsh businesses is at the heart of the Cardiff show and we can’t wait to come back,” she said. Visit rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flower-show-cardiff for more.