Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival

Last autumn our small group decided that we would have a go at doing a stand at the Welsh Smallholders and Garden Show at Builth Wells.

We did not draw up any particular plan, but member Jocelyn Poole and her husband Alan make Auricula Theatres, so we decided that one of these would be the centrepiece surrounded by plants in terracotta pots.   We all potted up plants and bulbs which we hoped would be in bloom in May.

About ten days before the show we had a dress rehearsal in our garage.   Jocelyn and Alan brought Auricula Theatre and master-minded the placing of pots and we all added our suggestions.   Clematis were wound round wigwams to give some height, and donated slate chippings were used to make a path.   it was amazing how well the plants worked together and there were not many left over.   The pots were then divided between the four cars which were going to the set-up at the show and were taken home.

We set up on the Thursday before the show. We had two six foot tables for the stand against a wall and one at an angle for the sales and information; this was set off with another of Jocelyn’s creations: a mini raised bed with rows of tiny vegetables which caused much interest.   The stand looked good and we had a lot of compliments; the aquilegias and of course the auriculas aroused particular interest and the seeds left over from the seed exchange proved popular (and raised generous donations).

The rota to man the stand worked well; we all had time to see the rest of the show and enjoyed meeting and talking to everyone who came.   Quite a lot of people had not heard of the CGS, but took literature. About fifteen new members signed up, mainly from Wales, which was the purpose of our presence at the show.   We have agreed that it was a good experience and that we will do it again.

Bridget Pellow, North Herefordshire and South Shropshire Group