Derbyshire's very own Flower Show

I visited the first ever Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show at Chatsworth on Sunday and it was very good. We had not been blessed with great weather a few days leading up to the show which ran from Wednesday 7th June until Sunday 11th June with rain hampering the proceedings slightly. Press day on the Tuesday prior to the public opening was a total washout. There were also traffic issues, people queuing for hours to get into the show so a few teething problems for the organisers.

I have to say though by the time we went along on the last day, the weather had cleared a little and we didn't experience any major traffic problems. They were very good at keeping ticket holders up to date with information. I received an email a day before informing me of the forecast and to advise good footwear as it would be muddy underfoot. It was very muddy, resembling a music festival rather than a flower show. It was time to get the wellies out and go and mix with the country folk.

We took a steady walk around taking in the various stalls, exhibits and of course stopping for a brew on the way. Stopped off for a jacket potato for lunch and just had to have some ice cream so there was plenty to eat and drink on the day. getting to some of these facilities was a bit tricky as it did involved wading through a small mud bath but hey it was ok if you went prepared. 

There were two huge flower marquees and the inflatable conservatory which was filled with tropical plants and banana trees, something which Chatsworth itself is renowned for, yes bananas grow in the heart of Derbyshire. That's more than I can do, I love to look at all these amazing creations and admire people with green fingers but to be honest? I could kill a cactus. I have been know to throw the odd bouquet of flowers together though as I am a qualified florist but I am just a bit unlucky with plants. 

You may be asking why I went to this flower show, well everyone likes a trier don't they and I think it's my sheer determination inside that tells me I am going to have plants, I am going to get my garden sorted and I am not going to murder anymore plants, these sort of events give me inspiration to get started. I did buy a beautiful Calla Lily which is now sitting in my garden and I am keeping a close eye on it. I have a horticultural defibrillator on stand by to zap it back to life if I feel it is slipping away. 

Overall I was really pleased with the show, I think sometimes it takes time to get a big event perfected, blimey it was only the first year so it wasn't going to be perfect and it was bound to have some tense moments. One thing we cannot guarantee in this country is the weather so if you're British you get on with it the best you can and smile!. We took the advice from the RHS and went to the event a little later than the advertised start time which was a good idea. It was a bit of a walk from the car park to the show for some but there were shuttle buses available to make things easier.

People were friendly, some dressed to the nines, wellie spotting was good, there were some very nice ones. I felt quite underdressed with my boring walking boots on. I would go again next year, with posher wellies if need be and an umbrella to match but we won't need those next year as I'm ordering sunshine. I feel for the Duchess at Chatsworth as she had around 90.000 visitors and they didn't half ruin her lawn but I'm sure someone from the RHS will restore it back to it's original glory or nature will.

I was slightly disappointed that there were not more display gardens. A great one from Radio Derby which depicted different areas of Derby and Derbyshire with well known landmarks on display. It is worth a visit though next year and if you are thinking of going in 2018 the tickets go on sale on 1st September 2017 on the website at:
www.rhs.org.uk

So I may see you there, who knows but for now I will pop off to water my lily and catch you tomorrow for A Verse for Thursday.

Thanks for reading.......