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The GFGS Stand at the Malvern Spring Show, 2013

At about 2 pm on Tuesday 7th May 2013 I met Martin Davis, Syd Reed outside the Wye Hall at the Three Counties Showground to start putting together the GFGS Stand for the Malvern Spring Show 2013.

With the GFGS Banner erected on a black background which was already in place we covered three tables in black material and put up two sets of display boards one at either end. Syd had arrived with two baskets of plants made up by Robert Champion for the Cotswold Fuchsia & Pelargonium Society; these were placed on the table ready for the following day.

At about 1.30 pm on Wednesday 8th May I returned with Tom Price and three baskets of orchids he had made up on behalf of the Cheltenham & District Orchid Society, a basket of heucheras made up by Beverley Powlesland on behalf of Newent Garden Club and a basket of herbs made up by Jan Broadway on behalf of Hucclecote Horticultural Society and was then presented with a basket of vegetables made up by Rosemary Smith on behalf of the Cheltenham & District Allotment Holders Association.

All the baskets were strategically placed with the names of the Clubs that had supplied them and the display was finished off with some well-placed GFGS promotional leaflets, posters and Club literature that I had been supplied with. I arrived bright and early (6.20 am) on Thursday 9th May to do some judging with Beverley Powlesland and as Carole my long suffering other half had agreed to help steward the stand first she was also there and patiently sat in the corner by the stand awaiting my return, little did she know at the time Rosemary Smith thought she was security and had been there all night! During the day the stand was also stewarded by Dennis Sutton, Beverley Powlesland, Tom & Rose Price and Stuart & Val Rowe.

I didn’t arrive so early (8.30 am) on Friday 10th May as I only had to put out more literature to replace that taken by interested parties the day before. During the day the stand was stewarded by Frances Zygmunt, Martin Davis, John Wilson, Maggie Theakston, Anne Evans and Bill Wright.

On Saturday 11th May I arrived about 8 am, only to put out more literature and have a coffee before the crowds arrived! This was a windy day and although we were in the Wye Hall (The hall used for livestock at the Three Counties, or I should now say Royal Three Counties Show) we were in a corner next to one of the very large doors and had Frazer from Dad’s Army been involved with stewarding the stand he may have described the experience thus, ‘Aye twas a wild and windy place!’ (Scots accent optional) During the day the stand was stewarded by Syd Reed, Jenny Grassom, Martin Davis, Carole Jeffes and Dot Culverhouse.

On Sunday 12th May I again arrived about 8 am just to make sure everything was okay before the gates opened to the public at 9 am. I was on my own for the first hour or so and was visited by Reg Moule, he was very complimentary about the display and said it was good to see us at the show, he commented on the good work the GFGS does and was particularly pleased that we had an active Guild of Judges which fulfilled an important role, not all federations do. During the day the stand was stewarded by Alan & Hilary Harvey and Alan Cursue & Jan Broadway who also stayed on to help me pack up and assisted with the transportation of plants for which I’m most grateful.

Isn’t it strange how these things come down a lot quicker that they go up!

My thanks also to all those mentioned above, without their help and hard work we would not have produced a stand which was admired by many attending the show (even the judges this time, Fifth Prize!) and also potentially gained a few new members for Affiliated Societies.

We have been invited to put up a number of stands over the next few months and I remind members that if your Club/Society has space at your show and can provide a 6’ by 2’6” table (approx.) if we can we will attend with an information display stand, for more information please contact me, details were published in the last newsletter which is still available via the GFGS website.

I would also appeal to Clubs/Societies to send me a copy of their Show Poster and any other information that we could display on the stand. This information can be emailed to me at rod.wells@gfgs.org.uk or by snail (sorry I know we don’t like them) mail to me at 15 Lapwing Close, Northway, Tewkesbury, Glos, GL20 8TN.

Rod Wells.

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You can also see pictures from earlier shows: