This time next week I’ll be working up at RHS Chelsea. OMG doesn’t time fly, just can’t believe it has come round again. It is the pinnacle of the gardening year and marks so many milestones for so many gardeners and growers.
If you’ve never been you should – it’s an experience you will never forget, plus it is the greatest flower show on earth, so you’d be daft not go at least once.
For me it is manic few days. I’m working for RHS Online on the show coverage which means I will be writing features on the show as it unfolds and just before it opens, so that those not lucky enough to get in can follow the progress online.
You can see the coverage at www.rhs.org.uk.
For the last few years I’ve done a blog from the show.
Part of my brief was to speak to the celebrities, film stars, TV presenters and more that are invited to the show on the prestigious Press Day.
That’s next Monday this year. It’s actually quite a tricky thing to do as everyone wants to speak to them and I feel a bit like a stalker, but I’ve also been privileged to meet some wonderful people, who spared a few moments of their precious time at Chelsea.
Last year I garnered some sound bytes from Stephen Fry who was battling with the windy weather like the rest of us. Managed a quick chat with Richard E Grant and got a couple of feet from Dame Helen Mirren before she was ushered away to film with Mr Titchmarsh. I suppose that would be regarded, as a lot of name-dropping, but the really nice thing about Chelsea is that most people are so friendly. Bumping into Mr T is like spotting an old friend in the foliage, though he is rarely without his minders these days. For me one of the cutest stories from Chelsea last year was the rumour that there was a gnome in the Great Pavilion. It actually wasn’t a rumour; as I saw it first hand hiding from the judges and the garden, Jekka McVicar’s creation went on to win a Gold medal.
But the prize of the decade really went to James May with his garden created from Plasticine. It was a crowd puller and a controversial talking point and had everyone animated. It wasn’t well received by the judges and in fact it was rumoured that Mr May was asked to include a few real plants, he refused and initially was given a letter rather than a coveted RHS Medal. It wasn’t long though before some quick thinking and on the ball RHS employee entered into the spirit of the thing and finally Mr May was awarded a Plasticine Gold Medal. Brilliant thinking!
Can’t wait to see what’s in store this year or who may be visiting.
