A great grandmother from Underwood has made headlines by being elected the first ever woman chairman in the 159 year history of Moorgreen Country Show.

Floral artist Marie Lowe has taken over the reins following a three year stint by Brinsley farmer David Redgate.

Her appointment completes a hat trick of "firsts" - she was the first women to be a member of the Show's Horticultural Committee and went on to become the committee's first woman Chairman, a position she stills holds.

One of two children she was born in 1931 in Blackpool where her father was a master butcher, running two shops. Her education began at a convent in north Wales before returning to Blackpool to the Holy Child convent and subsequently the town's technical college where she completed a secretarial course.

Instead she took a post as veterinary assistant which three years later brought her to Nottinghamshire as a kennel manager for an Underwood breeder on Cordy Lane who specialised in rough collies.

It was while making regular trips to the joiners yard at Underwood colliery for sawdust and shavings that she first met her husband-to-be Alan, who worked in the pit's blacksmith foundry.

"I discovered he lived on the other side of the road to me, bred birds and had dogs. His best friend introduced us and the funny thing was that on our first date I didn't recognise him when he was all dressed up as I'd only seen him in his work clothes!"

Soon after the courtship began Mrs Lowe had to return to Blackpool to help run the family business after her father suffered a serious heart attack. However the relationship continued and three years later the couple were married, in 1956.

Sadly Mr Lowe passed away in 2001. The couple had four children and Mrs Lowe now has five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Soon after their marriage the couple moved to Rose Cottage in Underwood whose garden has been featured in countless gardening magazines and which has been the venue for years of fund raising events, notably with the National Garden Scheme, but for local charities as well.

Her reputation as a floral designer spread and she was commissioned for a rich variety of special occasions - she decorated Erewash civic centre for royal visitor Princess Anne and, also in Ilkeston, the Regency Rooms when Princess Margaret visited. On more than one occasion she has designed floral arrangements for Derby Cathedral.

Outstanding commissions included the re-opening of Calke Abbey when taken over by the National Trust as well as decorating the Abbey for an NSPCC Centenary Year event.

"I've always been keen on flowers and gardening and went to night school to learn flower arranging. From there I progressed to south east Derbyshire college for two years and became a teacher of floral art. I've provided floral arrangements for weddings, parties, anniversaries, fund raisers, civic events and royal visits."

Remarkably she also found time to be a competitor and demonstrator at Moorgreen Show. "From the time we were married we never missed a show, in fact I've only missed one in 52 years," said Mrs Lowe.

Retiring Chairman David Redgate receives a parting gift in recognition of his work for the Show from his successor Marie Lowe.

For her support of the National Garden Scheme Mrs Lowe was presented with a ceremonial silver trowel and for her work with the NSPCC she was able to examine a very famous garden when invited to Buckingham Palace for a royal garden party.

Her trips to the capital have also featured a reception at 10 Downing Street hosted by John Major. "As much as Buckingham Palace was very exciting the Primer Minister's reception was another wonderful experience, I'd never mixed with so many celebrities, mainly from the world of broadcasting and show business. I learned that Mrs Major is a very keen gardener."

On a local level Mrs Lowe served a term as a parish councillor in Selston.

Away from the Show she is a member of the congregation of Our Lady of Good Counsel at Hill Top in Eastwood where she has been a chorister from some years and is part of the church's flower team. She runs flower arranging classes in the church hall and in her odd spare moments enjoys water colour painting.

"When I was elected my mind went back to when our children were little, sitting on a blanket and having a picnic at the show. I never ever thought anything like chairmanship would happen to me, I can't describe the elation.

"Standards have been raised at the show in recent years and I want to continue that development. Moorgreen is special - it must be to have flourished for all these years - and I want local people to feel proud of having such a show on their doorstep."