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The GFGS Stand at the Malvern Show, 2007

The Gloucestershire Federation of Gardening Societies normally has a stand at the Malvern Autumn Show.

In 2007, GFGS shared a stand with the Cheltenham and District Orchid Society at the Malvern Autumn Gardening Show. The combined stand won Third Prize!

The GFGS part of the combined stand

The combined stand

The Orchid Display, provided by Cheltenham and District Orchid Society

Cheltenham and District Orchid Society's part of the stand

A view showing the wonderful site for the show, with lots of free parking.

A report on the show, written by Ron Wells, Hon. Secretary of theCheltenham & District Orchid Society.

Having volunteered and then met with representatives of the GFGS earlier in the year to agree a design and strategy for their stand at the Malvern Autumn Show it was a few months before we had confirmation that we had been allocated the space requested, then the work really started!

The preparations began in earnest on Thursday 27th September, when Tom Price, who previous to this had constructed a framework to hold the 18’ length of backcloth we needed, started to sort cones, amass his ‘greenery’ and basket up plants, he was joined by Bob Farmiloe who helped complete this task.

Friday 28th September, setting up day arrived and at about 0915 hours slight panic set in when Bob Farmiloe had to withdraw following a family emergency, after a few quick phone calls the panic was over as Jan Broadway generously gave up her day to assist. So with cars and trailer packed, I along with Tom and Rose Price and Jan Broadway set off for Malvern, arriving at about 1115 hours. We arrived to find Sydney Reed and Beverley Powlesland had already erected the GFGS Banner, perfect timing! And later John Wilson arrived with GFGS Information leaflets etc.

So we set to work, our black backcloth had to cover in excess of 18’ behind a central 6’ square floral display area, with to the left a 6’ x 2’ GFGS information table and to the right another 6’ x 2’ with information/education material about orchids and our Society.

The floral display comprised a central raised oval basket of 5 Phalaenopsis, 3 large bloomed whites flanked by shorter pale pinks. Immediately around this basket were from left to right, blue Keferanthes, purple spotted white Phalaenopsis, orange Phalaenopsis, orange-brown pendulous Cycnoches and another purple spotted white Phalaenopsis; these six plants all no more than 9” tall.

Flanking the raised oval was, on the left, a purple Dendrobium phalaenopsis and a brown-marked yellow Colmanara, while to the right we had a 3 spiked Odontoglossum bictoniense ‘alba’. The back row was completed, on the lower level, at left and right with a basket of 4 and 5 Paphiopedilums, a lovely mix of white, green, spotted and vini types.

At mid centre was a large basket of 5 rich pink and red Phalaenopsis leading to a deep rich pink, short multi spiked Laeliocattleya and fronted by a tiny pale green Cischwenfia.

The left side was completed with a pink Dendrobium Phalaenopsis, a brown-barred yellow Miltassia, a rich red Miltonia, a white Yamamoto type Dendrobium and, in the corner, a basket with 2 Cattleyas (a red-lipped green and a rich pink, gorgeously scented) plus 2 bluish Cochleanthes and a white species Miltonia.

The right side was made of a white Odontoglossum with brown and orange markings, a rich mauve Dendrobium Kuniko, a small bright orange Ascocenda, and in the corner a basket containing a multi spiked Cymbidium erythrostylum and 3 small Paphiopedilums.

Forty-five orchids were basketed and in-filled with Wellingtonia cones leaving space for viewers to see and appreciate each plant. A rope brought the whole display together, with a few Hoyas strategically draped over it.

Our education/information table was backed by a notice board (kindly loaned by the GFGS) which contained bagged samples of growth media and sample copies of our culture leaflets. On the table were examples of 3 propagation routes i.e. by division (Cymbidium back bulb and Dendrobium cane showing growth at zero and six months), by Keiki and by seed (showing germination media, seed pod, seed, flasked seedlings and a community tray of thinned seedlings).

The GFGS information table advertised member societies, provided information on how to form a Gardening Club, Insurance provision and copies of recent Newsletters etc.

We finished constructing the Stand at about 1500 hours and set of for home, fully satisfied with our days work, but what would visitors to the show think of it!

On Saturday 29th September just before the Show opened to the public I arrived with Tom Price to make sure everything was okay, we had our wives with us, always a mistake in my view when there is an opportunity for them to spend money! Within a short time of the show opening the stand was visited by the Chief Executive of the Three Counties Agricultural Society who personally commented on what an excellent display we had produced. We were joined by Arnold Cleveley and Mike Lambert so the stand was continually manned throughout the day and we were kept very busy answering questions from the public until the show closed. On Sunday 30th September Tom Price was back with Jan Broadway, Alan Cursue and Stuart Rowe to man the stand, and once again they were kept very busy answering questions from visitors and of course dismantling the stand at the end of the show, which was done in about a third of the time it took to construct it!

We all enjoyed the experience and the GFGS Stand was awarded 3rd place in the National Plant Societies class, which was a bonus.

Although I’ve mentioned some people by name, a lot more were involved supplying plants, materials etc, for which we are very grateful and without whose help we could not have done it, so to all those we say thank you all very much.

Now if you’re thinking I wish I’d gone to the show, well you did miss some spectacular orchids, all is not lost. We will be displaying larger and more spectacular displays of orchids at our Annual Show in Churchdown Community Centre on Saturday 1st March 2008. It’s the day before ‘Mothers Day’ and there will be orchids for sale, so if you are looking for a present arrive early to avoid disappointment!

At this show there will be a mix of tropical and hardy orchids, and a few alpines! Further updated details and a link to our Society site can be found on the GFGS web site, and with this newsletter you should have a poster and four tickets offering reduced price entry, if you are unable to use the tickets please pass them on to someone who can. If the tickets are missing or you would like a few more send a SAE to CDOS Secretary, 15 Lapwing Close, Northway, Tewkesbury, Glos., GL20 8TN, and please indicate how many tickets you would like in the top left hand corner of the envelope.

Once again our thanks to the GFGS Secretary, John Wilson for help in advertising our coach trips and show. We look forward to seeing some of you at our show in March 2008.

Rod Wells
Hon. Secretary
Cheltenham & District Orchid Society.