Children at gardens

[OllieC]

From a letter in the new copy of the RHS magazine:

"...When did she last visit RHS Wisley?
I have visited the garden regularly over the past 50 years - but not any more, as the character has changed completely. Long ago it was the monopoly of the academic horticulturalist, quiet and studious. That phase ended, rightly, when many more less-qualified (sic) people were encouraged to visit.
However, we now have what my daughter refers to as a "virtual theme park" with hordes of children racing about, shouting and playing games. These children are not being taught to love gardens, they are simply enjoying one more open space. So please do not expose us quiet-garden (sic) lovers to the horrors of family-friendly (sic) activities.

(name printed), Surrey."

Any thoughts on this miserable, moaner with poor writing skills?

[OllieC]

[Sparkly]

It is one thing is the children are not under control, but how does she think the gardener's of the future will develop if kids are not allowed to take part?! grumpy!

[wilko]

quite right too, I believe children should be seen and not heard  ;D

only joking ................I love children, just couldn't eat a whole one. ;)

but how does she think the gardener's of the future

erm!!!!!!!! was it a women ?????

seriously, children and gardens go together, but some modicum of control is needed..........sometimes Ive seen children behave in way that can spoil others enjoyment... :(

[Emagggie]

and at the risk of sounding like a grumpy old bat myself, I agree that it would be a better idea if children were encouraged to save the chasing about games for a play area and a whining and screaming ban imposed. I'm sure they'd rather be elsewhere anyhow. :)

[OllieC]

We go to Wisley at least once a month & have never yet seen any children out of control. Sometimes it gets a bit crowded, but it's pretty easy to avoid these times (weekends, bank holidays etc.).

I love the sound of children playing nicely, it makes a garden complete.

[kt.]

I have visited the garden regularly over the past 50 years - but not any more, as the character has changed completely. Long ago it was the monopoly of the academic horticulturalist, quiet and studious. That phase ended, rightly, when many more less-qualified (sic) people were encouraged to visit.

Just because not everyone may be as edumucated or silver spoon fed as others, why should they miss out on the opportunity. 

Get the old battle-axe to Alton Towers or Flamingo Land and take a chill pill on the adrenalin rides.  Then the kids can do a role reversal - "hey whats that old coffin dodger doing on our rides..." ;D ;D ;D

[rosebud]

What a misery guts.
I expect some of the children would sooner be elsewhere.
BUT, i do expect children to be reasonably behaved, not silent mind & not bored.
How else would the adults see the gardens they cannot leave the children at home, besides they are our gardeners of the future.

[asbean]

Children have to be taught that not everywhere is a theme park where they can run amok. It's the responsibility of the parents to give them a wide range of experiences, so that they can learn appropriate behaviour in different situations. If they are not taught and given the opportunity to practise, they won't learn.  It's really not their fault if they behave badly. Just badly brung up.

Ollie - it was a pleasure going round Wisley with your little girl, her behaviour was impeccable but I can imagine her rampaging round a playground, though  :) :) :) :) :) :)

[SamLouise]

I don't understand, I'm a little confused, isn't there a pen that all the children get shut into when they first arrive and then picked up by their parents on the way out?  ???  ;)

Seriously though, perhaps this lady/gentleman happened to be there on a particularly boisterous (sp?) day and had their visit spoilt?  I don't mind saying that I've had a few activities spoilt in the past by terribly behave children and I don't apologise for complaining about it.  When I choose to go somewhere for the day, I don't want to hear or see screaming, shouting, fighting children, I want them to behave as the rest of us do.   

I too love the sound of children enjoying themselves - as long as it involves good behaviour.  Two buildings down from my office there is a playschool/nursery and I love listening to them all playing on sunny days (or break times) Same with the junior school up the road, it's so nice to hear them all having fun.

Edit:  Agree with what Asbean has just posted (cept the bit about Ollie & his littlun cos I've never met them! LOL)