Chelsea flower show

Thirty one years ago I was given a ticket for the afternoon session . The night before my son in law phoned to say my daughter had gone into the maternity hospital. Needless to say I spent part of the time locating phones. I had rung earlier and been told to ring a couple of hours later and of course no mobiles !! I did see quite a lot .
So now the flower show is always associated with my grandson.

I have mixed feelings about it. There was a whole segment of the coverage that was just talking to celebs ... bit bored by that.
I do not really know the history of the show, but I have the impression that it used to be more about the plants and flowers than big structures and architectural design. I think I would prefer that.
Having said that, the wooden Mother Earth was rather splendid.

I love sitting at home doing my Chelsea week! I really enjoy the programme not sure I could afford to go as we’re up north and would have to stay over. But I love this time of the year and don’t mind the celebrities going around. Just wish Monty would have those trousers taken up!

Me neither. I could go to Malvern as it's not so far but probably couldn't manage that either ☹

The last time I went was in 1998 when the ticket price for RHS members was £35.
I’d never cope with such a long day on my feet now so I’m happy to be glued to the TV coverage.

Went a few years ago, hospitality invite with exclusive access to the gardens. I really wouldn’t pay for a public ticket.

They’ve done the same to the Malvern show which was a reasonable price to enter when I used to visit many years ago.
A ticket costs less than £30.

Taunton Flower show has tickets for £20 and £17 if you're near there.
Badminton Flower Show from £35

One of my cousins exhibited at Chelsea for a number of years, winning several gold medals. He specialised in wildflowers. So I’ve always taken an interest. I’ve never been, though. My feet and.stamina aren’t up to it. My son has been quite often.

Esmay

My mother and I used to go to Cheksea .After talking about gardening all day -
she'd choose plants and then ,we'd look forward to receiving them.
For years we enjoyed watching the programme on TV.
Then it changed.
Today ,I watched the part about Alliums and retreated to the kitchen when I heard the name David Beckham.

Perhaps I should have watched it .

The cult of celebrity really infuriates me.

I want to see real gardeners and the price of the tickets is obscene.

Today ,I watched the part about Alliums and retreated to the kitchen when I heard the name David Beckham.

There was only a glimpse of David Beckham
He is there as Ambassador for The King's Foundation and had input into The King’s Foundation Curious Garden, designed by Frances Tophill.

But it's your prerogative of course.

Is the thought that ticket prices aren't dissimilar to those of a London theatre ticket? You can stay all day at the flower show if you have the more expensive ticket, I think.

The new alliums from Holland were pretty.
The gynae cancer garden was well thought out and a relaxing space.

Sadly I think the BBC has ruined it in so many ways making it overly commercial and in return rather elitist and expensive.
They’ve done the same to the Malvern show which was a reasonable price to enter when I used to visit many years ago.
It had a lovely vibe to it.
The small growers were a joy to do business with but then along came the BBC and hijacked it.
The small nurseries were priced out and it became expensive so I stopped going.

My mother and I used to go to Cheksea .After talking about gardening all day -
she'd choose plants and then ,we'd look forward to receiving them.
For years we enjoyed watching the programme on TV.
Then it changed.
Today ,I watched the part about Alliums and retreated to the kitchen when I heard the name David Beckham.

Perhaps I should have watched it .

The cult of celebrity really infuriates me.

I want to see real gardeners and the price of the tickets is obscene.

Really? And that’s where one wears one’s £143 trousers and £96 shirt, I presume!

Crikey. I shall have an armchair ticket.