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Island Bus Goes ‘Off Root’ To NEC For Special BBC Gardeners’ World Live! Appearance 

Southern Vectis took pride of place in an unexpected but special appearance at the prestigious BBC Gardeners’ World Live! exhibition in Birmingham this month.

Visitors to Newport Bus Station may have spotted a unique planter, in the shape of a Southern Vectis bus, as it spent last summer outside the travel shop. 

Recently it underwent a refurbishment and re-plant before being 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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