Allotments 4 All

Is anyone going? I'm going I've never been to a garden show before, I'm quite excited. I've just got my show guide through the post and it looks really interesting. I'm supposed to be going with a friend but she wanted to go about twelve and compromised on leaving about ten but I think that's too late besides I don't want to be coming home in rush hour, so I might just give her a ticket and tell her that I'll meet her there and go for 9:30 ish. I'm wondering if it's not rather mean of me to do this. ???

Hi Sarah - I am not going this year, but have been a couple of times before.  I would say that you definitely need the full day to see everything.  Word of warning - wear really comfy shoes, take plenty of money (you will get carried away with all the great plants and other things to purchase) :D  When I went, I had the privilege of meeting the great Geoff Hamilton and had my photo taken with him.  Have a lovely day - and dont forget to tell us all about it :)

Yes money, I noted there were about five cash machines dotted about on the map! See I'm restricted by how much I can buy (theoretically) because I have to catch a train from leicester then a train from birmingham. Those very steep steps at New Street do not look like they will be forgiving of vast amounts of shopping.  ;D

oooo jealous!  Never been, done Cheslea a couple of times so yup, comfy shoes and cash!  Also maybe a drink if the weather is hot.  Last year at chelsea I rather embarressingly nearly fainted on the tube on the way home thanks to only having a pimms and a couple of glasses of vino to drink all day.  We also take a picnic, if you can stand to carry it, as the food at these events it EXTORTINATE and often RUBBISH!  Need a blow by blow account upon your return.

And as for you Pat, the one and only Geoff Hamilton.  I would have loved to have met him, altho his tastes expensive, he is the first telly gardener I remember.  My hero!  Saw Alan Titchmarsh once in Jermyn Street in London, shorter than I imagined.  :P

We saw Alan Titchmarsh Emma the second time we went.  He was on stage answering all sorts of gardening questions.  Very entertaining as well.  As for Geoff's tastes being expensive, did you watch any of his programmes (or was that before your time, being a young sprog ;) :)).  He used to economise on all sorts of things but using very inexpensive materials, just to keep costs down.  He even made his own rockery stones.  We saw his rock garden when we visited Barnsdale - very effective now that they have weathered down.

Sarah, if you plan to meet up with your friend there make sure you and friend have mobile phone otherwise you may never find each other once you're there.

Geoff Hamilton is my inspiration and I follow his organic gardening book like a bible. I think he was great and sorry to say but Alan Titchmarsh just can't hold my attention like GH did. (No offence Alan if you're browsing A4A!)

I'd love to go but its too far away for me really.  Looks a fab show though ad i am sure we'll get a flavour on GW next Friday.

I think their 'plantswap' idea is great. Who knows if you take part you might get a plant of two grown at Berryfields! Perhaps is a good thing i cant go. Need a pantechnicon (large lorry) to take all the plants I'd want to swap there and the swaps back home again!