Noddy and Big Ears ready for floral art

The car with Noddy and friends waiting to be decorated.

Tessie Bear, Tubby Bear, Jumbo, Big Ears and Noddy.

Names which will take many a reader back on a trip back in memory to Toyland, where Noddy and his friends lived, as first detailed in the book series by Enid Blyton in the 1950s.

Now the gang is back together, featuring in a special display this weekend.

Noddy and his friends will be found in their very own little red car - a 1939 Austin 8 - which has been decorated by six members of the Stratford Floral Art Group as an entry in the Taranaki Area Floral Art Designer of the year competition.

Glenys Campbell, one of the six floral artists working on the car, says the theme given was Motoring Days with an overall theme for the entire event being Cars of the 50s.

"So we thought of Noddy and his friends, as everyone remembers them driving around in that red car, and the books were written in that era so it fitted in well."

Glenys, who is the secretary of the Stratford Floral Art group as well as being the Stratford representative on the Taranaki committee, says the Austin 8 is borrowed from her uncle, who has a collection of vintage cars.

"The Austin 8 is perfect for this entry, and we are looking forward to putting it all together on the day."

As well as the group entry, members of the Stratford Floral Art Group are entering a range of the individual sections in the Taranaki Designer of the Year show, which is held in conjunction with the Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular.

Glenys says it is well worth visiting the exhibition which is open to the public as there will be plenty of very impressive floral art on display.

Taranaki Area Floral Art - Those were the days - cars of the 1950's Taranaki Area Designer of the Year Show. Quality Hotel Plymouth International, New Plymouth. October 27, 28 and 29. Open 9am - 9pm on October 27 and 28, and 9am - 4pm on October 29.