Hello to all our Affiliated Societies (please pass this on to all your members)
I hope you are all well and staying positive in this really difficult time.
Most of us enjoy a well delivered talk about a subject we are interested in, but at the moment that won’t be possible unless you can find one on-line…. So with that in mind I have asked the speakers listed on the RHS website, plus some of our Partner Gardens, to give me details of any pre-recorded talks, or if they are happy to deliver a live talk via video conferencing (Zoom or Skype) and have produced the attached details. So dip in and see what you want to listen to or get a group of friends and have a Zoom garden party! Contact the speaker by their given email to make any necessary arrangements or dive straight in if they are on social media. I hope you will all find something of interest here. Before I am furloughed at the end of April I will send any further speaker details I receive before I go. Enjoy!
A big thank you to everyone who sent me details of all the exciting projects and virtual shows their clubs are hosting. This difficult time has certainly brought out the creativity in us all.
Here are some of the ideas you might like to have a go at:
> A virtual Spring/Summer show. All the produce has been lovingly grown, so encourage everyone to take photos and either pop them onto your Facebook page or website for all your colleagues to admire. No judging, just fun!
> This is an extract from a lovely email one of our clubs sent me:
I thought you might be interested to hear about our Virtual Flower and Produce Show that took place on Saturday 28th March. We are a busy group and hold 3 shows per year, but sadly our first show was cancelled.
The first recorded horticultural show in Burgess Hill took place in 1884 and we’ve been holding shows ever since, including during World War II, when there was a very active Dig for Victory group in the town. No-one could remember us cancelling a show before, so we wondered if we could harness technology and stage a ‘Virtual Show’ instead. We emailed our membership, asking them to ‘enter’ classes, (abandoning all rules regarding dimensions of exhibits/types and sizes of containers; “use whatever you have in your home”.) Folk set up their exhibits at home, photographed them and sent us the pictures for display on our website.
We set up a ‘virtual show’ on our website, allowing folk to click on a link and view the exhibits. The idea was to try and have a bit of fun and raise a smile in these difficult times. It seems to have worked; people have left some lovely comments, our website’s had hundreds of visitors and the show has also been shared around on Facebook.
Our summer show is due to take place on 27th June. Should we still be in a ‘lockdown’ situation, we’ll have another virtual event. After all, The Show Must Go On! - Comment from Susie – so inspiring. Some thought and planning and a great show was still to be had.
> Quizzes for fun and a few garden hints. If a virtual show isn’t for you, try putting together a quiz or share your most useful garden tips.
And don’t forget if you have ordered a medal to think about a new category for awarding – my suggestion would be to the person who has helped the most in your community during this difficult time. Perhaps you have a more fitting category? Do share!
We’re launching “Grow at Home” this weekend where those spending so much more time at home will be able to find lots of activities and all things horticultural to learn and do from our website.
The RHS is also doing everything it can to promote and help British nurseries so please remind friends, neighbours, colleagues and family that they can buy plants online for home delivery, from the RHS and from hundreds of other nurseries. https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/support-our-nurseries.
It’s very sad but we are announcing today that the following summer shows will be cancelled or moved:
RHS Shows cancelled in 2020:
Harlow Carr Flower Show
Tatton Park Flower Show
Wisley Flower Show
RHS Shows moved in 2020:
Hyde Hall Flower Show to 2 – 6 September (was 5-9 August)
Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival to 10 – 15 September (was 7 -12 July)
Rosemoor Flower Show to 18 – 20 September (was 14-16 August)
If you are taking part in our Growing Together competitions we will be in touch soon.
I will send one more newsletter before the end of the month. Have the best Easter you are able to, stay safe and happy gardening.
Kind regards
Susie
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. This vision, expressed through our Greening Great Britain campaign, underpins all that we do – from inspirational gardens and shows, through our scientific research, to our education and community programmes. We are committed to inspiring everyone to grow.
For more information and to get involved, visit rhs.org.uk, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, and sign up to our e-newsletters.
RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262
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