I always used to have a couple of stands at the International Festival of
the Sea at Portsmouth and was quite prepared to take a triple space at the
next one, expensive yes but worthwhile in my case, thinking of others.

But the next one didn't come.

Priced themselves out of the market.


Mike




"Sacha" wrote in message ...

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