Let's Meet!

Malvern Spring Show is rather special: it's one of the first outdoor gardening events of the year, its setting is superb and the Three Counties Show Ground is very roomy. So when I met up with Helen (Patient Gardener) last year, it struck both of us that here's the perfect excuse and venue to organise a garden bloggers get together for the UK.

When we got home, our good idea was confirmed: many other bloggers had gone to Malvern that weekend and not only blogged about how much they'd enjoyed it, their reaction to the possibility of meeting up this year was most positive. We'd already met up with Anna (Green Tapestry) whilst we were there, who knows how many others we'd passed on by without knowing it? So here we are: organising a get together for this year's Malvern Spring Show. The dates are 6-9th May.

This blog will be used over the coming weeks to find out who's interested, make arrangements, post links to any useful information and news. We'll also be using Twitter to publicise the event.

We'd love you to come and join us! James will be strutting his stuff on stage as usual plus Claire and Deb (that's Lola, her wonderful creation at last year's show in the photo above) will have show gardens for us to admire. Maybe Nigel will be judging there again this year?

Our initial thoughts are to keep it simple: we'll probably be quite a large group, so going around the show together won't be that practical. Besides we'll all want to spend our time focusing on the stands and talks which meet our differing garden tastes. So we're thinking of having a place and times to meet during the day (for coffee and lunch) and do our own thing in-between. There's also the possibility of having a meal together afterwards if you'd like to stay on into the evening.

As Helen lives in Malvern we'll be getting all kinds of insider information about the event. Her advice on the best day to go is as follows:

I think Friday is the best day since Thursday is more expensive and Saturday is when all the locals go so v. crowded and lots of children!!! Friday, to me, is for the more serious gardener.

Then there's Sunday of course, for the plant sell off if you're into getting some bargains from the show stands or gardens.

Now to your bit: would you like to come and if so what date(s) can you join us? Are you up for a meal afterwards? Any other ideas or thoughts? Let us know in the Comments in the usual way. And do feel free to use the above photo to advertise Meet @ Malvern on your own blogs. I can send you a copy of the photo if you'd prefer to use the original.

This post will be kept as a 'sticky post' at the top of the blog to welcome any newcomers. Keep an eye out for more news as it comes in the posts below. Or you can subscribe to the Feed or Follow the blog in the usual way to keep in touch. Twitter will be up as soon as I've got to grips with the technology ;)

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Michelle (aka VP of Veg Plotting)

xxx