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Having Fun and Surviving It All
Chelsea is a visual feast, and there are lighter moments that stay with you long after you have left the Show.
It brings together many horticultural traditions - this year South Africa and Grenada both had dazzling displays. |
A steel band from Grenada serenades |
Some of the nicest moments are before the Show opens to the members and public, so we bring some fascinating into the Chelsea most will never get to see first hand.
Chelsea is a unqiue British institution, and where else but Chelsea would you find all of this? |
Indisputably British, bowler hats at the stand for W & S Lockyer, specialist growers of auriculas and primulas |
It is indisputably crowded. But is also a unique gathering of horticultural skills, products and inspiration. Plus all that shopping!
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Quite definitely crowded |
No one seems to mind the crush too much; mostly they simple have fun and have a great day out, wallets and cameras at the ready. The seafood and champagne lunches are popular, as are the stands that dispense plastic cups of Pimms.
The second and third days of the show are for RHS members only and these are just as busy as the public days. Many visitors line up before the 8.00am start, keen to get a good look before too many arrive. The crowds surge in on the various ticket entry times of 8.00am, 3.30pm and 5.00pm.
It's a conundrum, as the crowds make it worth showing at Chelsea, an audience of tens of thousands in this special target market. So without all those numbers of people there would inevitably be less to see.
So many people can also make it uncomfortable and even stressful unless you go simply relax and go with the flow, or get there truly early or late. Wear something sensible and take a break, its a long, long day.
Today the media are essential to the success of events like this. They are out in force at Chelsea, producing some unique moments for us to marvel and or simply enjoy. |
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Be Inspired
Chelsea is an inspiration. It is a visual feast, scores high on temptation and can be tough on the wallet. It is a chance to participate in something special and to glean ideas and insights, encouragement to put it all into play in our own gardens when we get home.
Chelsea is, definitely, an event most gardeners love to visit and remember long afterwards.
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Media are an essential part of the Chelsea Show |
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A visual feast - striking willow shapes from Brompton Willow
Fashionable turf - a greener future from the National Trust
Egyptian maidens for Christopher Wray Lighting
Some exibits simply fascinate
'The Wave' water sculpture from The Sculpture Workshop
Bringing a touch of floral art to 'A Real Japanese Garden'
Having fun and taking the memories home
Some lighter moments with the media - Barbie at Chelsea. Who are the others?
The Chelsea Flower Show 2002
Reviewed: Highlights, trends and all the fun of the Show.
Held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London SW3 the 3rd week of May. Tickets are available from late the prior year. For Show Dates see the Events Pages.
Contact The Royal Horticultural Society
80 Vincent Square London SW1 2PE
United Kingdom
Customer Services Tel +44 (1293) 433 956
Tickets prices in 2002 (non-members): GBP28.00 to GBP10.00 for full/part day tickets (non-members)
No gate sales, no re-entry, no babies or under 5's | | |
