On 2013-09-29 17:34:30 +0100, David Hill said:

On 29/09/2013 15:15, Sacha wrote:
snip
The cost of staging a large show is prohibitive and no exhibitor is
now going to stage without prize money. Gone are the days of staging
for the advertising and the pride in a Gold medal card.
A better idea would be for somewhere like Torquay to have a garden
competition where a number of show gardens would be built and
maintained for 3 or 4 months with them being judged every month to get
an over all winner, so tourists would have something to visit during
their holiday not just one weekend a year.
David @ a now overcast side of Swansea bay.
snip

Your idea for e.g. Torquay is a good one though the costs would
certainly be a factor and from the nursery pov, some of this would be
happening in the busiest season so sustaining it might be difficult. But
originally, I just thought it curious that there are RHS Shows all over
various regions of UK except this one. We're a small business compared
to some and the sheer cost of doing Chelsea would be huge for us. I have
no idea what the actual entry fees are but we'd have to hire a van to
take plants to London and then rent somewhere for those constructing and
staffing a stand, and probably employ temporary replacement staff here,
so it's out of the question.


When I did Chelsea Many years ago It was just myself and a friend, we
had a caravan and were the first caravan to park in Battersea gardens,
we had to hop over the fence at night,
It was hard work but still got a Silver gilt Flora medal.
In those days you had to have done 3 RHS shows and to have got at least
a silver medal to get an invite to Chelsea.
About 3 weeks before the show I had a phone call asking if I could do
twice the size I was going to do, In my innocence I said yes.
Had to do 2 trips to get all the plants up as well as having a load in
the caravan..
It was an experience

Sounds like more fun probably, too! I think entries were down this
year from what I recall. You can't help wondering if it's the costs
involved, unfortunately.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk