RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2006


It's that time of year again, wall-to-wall Alan Titchmarsh for five days as the second of the four main shows of the season gets under way. With respect to Malvern, Hampton Court and Tatton this is the big one, sold out weeks possibly months in advance, its the most accessible and the one with the most exhibits, exhibitors, visitors and media coverage.

This year is my third visit, following 2003 and 2005. So far I've been lucky with the weather which helps, although there are two huge floral pavillions its the gardens that most people come to see. To be inspired, to be over awed or just be plain jealous that somebody can have that much talent!

Well the rain came and so did the crowds, although it didn't feel as overcrowded as previous years. The show gardens were superb and I think that Tom Stuart Smith's best in show award was fully deserved. Of the others I think the New Zealand garden plus the sunken one from some stately home oop north were the best.

I saw Alan Titchmarsh, Cleve West, Andy Sturgeon, Carol Thatcher, Nicky Chapman and Charlie Dimmock - I was actually stood next to Charlie before she did one of her pieces to camera without actually realising she was there - doh! No Djarmuid Gavin this year which was a shame as he was good last year with the crowds and no Jenny whatever her name is, the one who used to be the royal correspondent, last year she looked bored with the whole thing.

Had long chats with two of the exhibitors - the designer of the Da Vinci Garden and one of the team responsible for Bournemouth Council's display which actually won Best In Show in the Pavillions. Typically for Bournemouth the council couldn't obtain any sponsoring and had to rely on help from Somerfield for the fruit and using their spare time to work on the display, which took twelve months from start to finish. One part I did think was cheeky was the inclusion of dolphins into the display, dolphins, as all locals know, are part of Poole's town ident.

Took over 150 pictures and downloaded these once I got home, surprised how many you can actually take once you get into the swing of it.

Spent some time watching a jazz band would you believe, that's when I realised that middle age had set in, sat there watching five blokes and a girl singing Fats Waller songs in the garden of the Chelsea Hospital at the 2006 flower show - time for a nap I think.