Potter's fabulous poppies a hit at Marton Harvest Fair

Carolyn Hodgson said she was delighted to be part of the fair. Photo / Lin Ferguson

Ceramic flowers adorn Marton potter Carolyn Hodgson's stall at Marton Harvest Fair.

Her stall is one of 160 on the park ground, where about 8000 people thronged the grounds last Sunday to such an extent there were queues between stalls.

Co-ordinator Cath Ash said the fair had been a huge success this year.

"I have spent five years organising this fair and this year was amazing,''she said.

Carolyn said she was delighted to be part of the event.

"I like people to see my work but I really like to tell them the success story of my red poppies.''

Her work over the years has included life-sized dogs, native birds and many other animals.

She is a lifetime member of Mt Bruce and created the Kakapo sculpture for the Ulva Island Trust on Stewart Island.

Flower sculptures are her most popular work, she said.

"I developed the red poppy for Peter Jackson for his Great War Exhibition at Te Papa in Wellington.

"Now Te Papa have a wall of my poppies on display every Anzac Day. It makes me very proud.''

As well as her signature poppies Carolyn makes a range of flowers, including tall colourful lupins and lilies.

She said she had started potting in Dunedin in the 1970s.

Over the years she has received many awards for her work both overseas and in New Zealand.