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We have visited this show for the last few years and have always been delighted with the weather, the exhibition, the gardens and the general ambience. Not the same this year.
First, the weather. Really, it wasn’t a bad day and there was plenty of dry and warm, even sunny weather in between the fairly infrequent showers. They were heavy, however, which meant you didn’t want to stay outside but make a run for any of the show tents, the Floral Marquee being the favourite of course (which was truly marvellous).
Second, the crowds. It was packed with visitors and the sheer number this year made it very difficult to see many of the show gardens or other exhibits. As always we visited on the RHS Members day which is the first day of the show and immediately before the general opening. I have no idea why it was so much busier this year than last, or even if that was just a perception given the number of time we had to crowd into the tents, but I can only guess that either many more people are flocking to this show this year, the number of RHS Members has massively increased or, more sinister maybe, that it was opened to non-RHS members! This really spoilt our enjoyment this year and we have reservations about even attending next year as a consequence. In previous years we could walk around and get to see things without pushing in; this year it just became an exercise in self-restraint not to barge through or past people. It was that much busier.
Third, the garden displays. With only a couple of exceptions, none of the garden displays made you stop in your tracks and say “wow!” Chris Beardshaw’s display, as ever, was a massive crowd puller and thoroughly well deserved Gold medal and Best in Show.
All of the middle aged grumpiness aside, the show lived up to its high standards and was worth the visit. We managed to bring back some excellent plants and, of course, a few images!
Update (23rd August 2009):
Given my disappointment with the apparent crowding at the show I wrote to the RHS commenting about my views - you know, the sort of letter than customer services reads with a sigh. I was pleased to receive a reply but embarrassed to discover that they "had not received any other feedback on this issue from show visitors". I was assured that numbers had been capped to the same level as previous years and entry was only to RHS Members and exhibitors. I therefore assume that it was me being a grumpy old man and the weather driving people, like sheep, in the same direction - under cover when raining and outside when it didn't. Next time I'll go in the other direction and test this theory, although I really hope next time the weather is rather better! |
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