National Show Shepton Mallett

[scrumpy]

Just received this e mail

If you aren't aware already, the National Show at Shepton Mallet has been cancelled due to the closure of the Show with which it was held in conjunction.
At the moment there are two potential alternatives on the table. Both will involve the NDS with a similar amount of additional expense, namely the space in which to hold the show and the set up of tabling etc.
The alternatives are Wisley RHS gardens in Surrey just off the M25 on the A3 or a Garden Centre near Atherstone in Warwickshire.just off the M42 and A5..
I think that most of you will understand where I'm coming from with this e-mail, namely that the EC need to get this right, otherwise our already flagging 'National' willl die a death altogether. I know of several exhibitors who have said that last year's Shepton was to be their last, and have subsequently stated that their feelings are just as strong about not attending if the Show goes to Wisley.
As I am not fully informed as to the ins and outs of the two venues, I cannot offer any sway other than to the Geographical advantages that Atherstone holds over Wisley.
I write this e-mail to you, to try to circulate it amongst your Dahlia contacts, as many will have no idea of the events of the past few weeks, and will have no opportunity to comment on them until the AGM in March.
The problem with this is that the decision meeting has been set for the 13th February, so basically if you don't know someone in the know, you don't have a say. (what ever happened to the sporadic newsletters ?)
The more of you who can respond to this, and air your views one way or another, the better as far as I'm concerned, given the lack of information afforded to you all by the Society.
I hope you can find time please to pass this round as much as possible, and dare I ask you send me your opinions so I can forward a file to the meeting in February.
I'm sorry to lump all the e-mail addresses together, but if you know someone not on the list, that's our target.
Once again please help with this, otherwise moaning afterwards is no use.
I look forward with trepidation to the 'flood' in my inbox.

Best Regards

Carl Hamnett NDS Harrogate Show Secretary


As the e mail says, anyone with any thoughts should contact Carl.
I have his e mail address but wasn't sure whether to publish it, so if anyone wants to make a comment to him PM me and i'll give it to you.

[Lou78W]

Oh dear.....thats not good. I've heard over the years, people saying that the show at Shepton was "going back"......
For myself....I would hate to see the NDS show at Harrogate go down the pan......it is the only opportunity I get to see the wonderful displays......

[Geranium]

I'm not a bit surprised. Since 'Amateur Gardening' pulled out of its partnership with the show, it has gone down hill. I was told that the organisers immediately doubled the fees for a Nursery 'pitch', which put many of the familiar Nurseries off, and I know they put the gate entry price up. I've been going for some years and was very disappointed this year by the quality of the show and the small number of stands around the ground.

I realise that many Dahlia growers show their blooms there, but there have to be other 'attractions' to get the average gardener in. I got there at about 11 a.m. and met people coming away!

What a shame if it does fold up.

[snute2008]

Its very disappointing that the NDS have not informed their members about this before it appears on the internet. They must have known in advance.

[grindle]

I'm not at all surprised that the show is closing, like Geranium says, since AG pulling out it had rapidly gone down hill. I haven't attended now for a couple of years. It is such a shame that it has also affected the National Dahlia show, I hope all you dahlia lovers find a suitable replacement. It will also affect the Giant Veg competion. Such a shame that what was a very good show should finally go to the wall

[Geranium]

It leaves the SW with just one gardening show - the Taunton one in early August. I'd suggest that you 'showers' put presure on the NDS to contact the organisers of that - it's a very well-attended show. You could possibly get a marquee there for Dahlias.

[Tel]

Jan 11, 2013 23:22:16 GMT snute2008 said:

Its very disappointing that the NDS have not informed their members about this before it appears on the internet. They must have known in advance.

The NDS website, not a mention of it either

[Tel]

I do not think the NDS should have a national show in isolation.
I remember when it was held in London, i did not think it attracted enough people to it. Members of the public go to Harrogate not just for the dahlias but for the combination of everything the show as to offer.

[grindle]

In it's heyday, Shepton Mallet was one of the best shows in the SW, such a shame

[scrumpy]

As I've never been to shepton mallet i can't make any comments about the show. However, there does appear to be a problem with the top dahlia growers who normally exhibit at the show.
So maybe the time is right for a new location and a revitalised schedule to not only encourage the top boys back, but those of us who don't exhibit.
Perhaps they should expand on the classes for those that grow fewer plants?

[Geranium]

I was making a serious suggestion about contacting the organisers of the Taunton Show - it is prestigious, and attracts crowds of people every year. I'm sure they have a website.

[Deleted]

Hi Everyone,

I havn't been on this forum for a while but with the news regarding the national show venue at Shepton Mallet I thought it wise to add my bit to the saga.

With no prior knowledge of the Bath and West of England show I made the trek down to it for the 1st time 5 years ago. While I was in ore with the great aray of dahlias, the showground in a nutshell was for the want of a word very dissapponting. It now comes as no surprise that the venue will close.

Being from the midlands I know one of the alternative sites reasonably well, this being Atherstone. Its a very large Dobbies garden centre situated 10 minutes from the M42. Car park facilities are very good and has numerous other on site retailers that attract the general public.

Obviously this is not a showground and does not have the attraction factor of a large venue such as Shepton. But the old site had been in decline and as previously mentioned many exhibitors have become disollusioned with both its location and the facilities it offered.

While the most die hard exhibitors will go where ever the show is held but many will only attend if the show is worth the aggrivation of which location and facilities is a primary concern.

The midlands have their annual tuber sale this Wednesday to which I'm sure thier chairman Ron Guest who is also Chairman of the NDS will have an earbashing on this subject.

If I hear anything worth a mention I will post it on this thread.


Mark

[dcdahlia]

I was at the north west dahlia society agm 2 weeks ago (I am not a member but Dave Gillam was giving a talk so me and phil watson went) and most people there said they would prefer atherstone to wisley it being situated more central for everyone.Some who show at shepton regularly even said they would not be going to wisley.In my opinion It would be much fairer especially for the lads who show from scotland for it to be held in warwickshire.

[scrumpy]

Jan 12, 2013 10:13:59 GMT Geranium said:

I was making a serious suggestion about contacting the organisers of the Taunton Show - it is prestigious, and attracts crowds of people every year. I'm sure they have a website.

I think there may be one problem with taunton show....it may be a little early.

[Deleted]

Yes, Not only is Taunton show a little early it would also be moving it further south which would not suit the northern growers.

Atherstone has my vote. As Carl said for geographical reasons a central site would please most exhibitors from all regions.