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General Subjects => Wisley Alpine Log – Feedback Forum => Topic started by: Buck Gardener on February 02, 2012, 07:44:25 PM

Title: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Buck Gardener on February 02, 2012, 07:44:25 PM
Edit by moderator:  Posts from two other threads have been drawn together here to consolidate the comments about the ending of the Wisley Alpine Log. These were read by more than 600 people before the move of the posts to this thread.




I recently discovered these wonderful logs. I'm a gardener in a rock garden in New Jersey. The winters can get a little slow and we need to find diversions to pass the cold days (though this year we are getting very warm weather and so are out in the garden much more.) Anyway, it's been a pleasure reading the logs and enjoying the beautiful photographs. I gobbled up all of them in a few days.

My question is will there be any more? I see the last one is from October. Hope all is well with Paul.

Thank you.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Maggi Young on February 02, 2012, 08:44:13 PM
Greetings Buck Gardener !
So pleased you have both discovered and enjoyed the Wisley Logs.

http://www.srgc.net/site/index.php/features-mainmenu-47/wisley-alpine-log/wisley-alpine-log (http://www.srgc.net/site/index.php/features-mainmenu-47/wisley-alpine-log/wisley-alpine-log)

Sadly there will be no more of these for the time being. Things are very busy at Wisley and the RHS hierarchy has decided that there is not time for Staff to participate in this form of outreach.
This is a matter of great regret to us and we hope that at some point in the future Paul will again be allowed to share his reports on the happenings at Wisley and continue to showcase the work of the Staff of the Alpine Department there.


 I hope that Paul, in his private capacity, will be able to thank you for your kind words of appreciation.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 02, 2012, 11:16:52 PM
Welcome to the superb SRGC Forum Buck. If you've finished the Wisley Logs, have you yet discovered Ian Young's Bulb Logs and the fantastic International Rock Gardener series? Heaps to occupy the time and the mind on those. If you troll through the Main Index then the Forum Index, you'll find all kinds of amazing stuff, glorious photos and helpful information as well as the occasional giggle. You may never have time to garden again. ;D
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: BryanEmery on February 03, 2012, 08:02:13 AM
So sad! I loved the Wisley updates.

B
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: David Nicholson on February 03, 2012, 10:26:52 AM
Shows the limited thinking of the RHS hierarchy. Seems that limited thinking is rife in English horticultural organisations!

Hope to see you back Paul, I,ve enjoyed them and missed them.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Buck Gardener on February 03, 2012, 12:44:32 PM
Thank you for letting me know what happened. Very sad indeed. That's how it is with The Powers That Be the whole world over. But I am relieved that Paul is okay. My imagination was working overtime.

Maybe it'll start getting cold again here and I'll have a good excuse to explore your forums some more. (Thanks for the tip, Lesley.)
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ArnoldT on February 08, 2012, 10:15:46 PM
I'm a bit in the dark on the demise of the Wisly log.  Can someone PM me or write what happened.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Maggi Young on February 08, 2012, 10:24:17 PM
Arnold, The RHS hierarchy decided that there was not time for Paul and the Alpine Department Team to be involved in producing the Wisley Log. We were told that Paul would be allowed to write a last log, explaining the position, but this has not been forthcoming as yet.

Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ArnoldT on February 09, 2012, 02:31:48 AM
Maggi:

Thanks,

Sounds a bit strange to me.

He was promoting their institution wasn't he?

Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: David Nicholson on February 09, 2012, 12:14:05 PM
Typically muddled thinking from RHS! Where better to promote Wisley to the gardening World than these pages.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ArnoldT on February 09, 2012, 01:14:54 PM
Ah David, was it "these pages" that was the issue.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: David Nicholson on February 09, 2012, 04:21:42 PM
Dunno Arnold, possible I suppose.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Maggi Young on February 09, 2012, 04:27:58 PM
The reason given was the amount of time it took for the log to be produced.
There is great pressure on the time of all the gardeners who seem to be in decreased supply.   
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ronm on February 09, 2012, 08:09:14 PM
OMG !! Join us, pay your subscriptions like good people, admire our cleverness .... but sorry no involvement allowed! We will preserve genetic diversity ..... but it will be a secret .... and only we will know the answer! Can we as a group challenge the RHS stance? Maybe challenge isnt politically sound ... maybe ask them to bless us once more with their profound knowledge?  :o :o :o
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 09, 2012, 11:06:49 PM
The reason given was the amount of time it took for the log to be produced.
There is great pressure on the time of all the gardeners who seem to be in decreased supply.   

Which makes Ian's weekly Bulb Log all the more laudable, and, indeed, heroic.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on February 10, 2012, 07:38:39 AM
Typically muddled thinking from RHS! Where better to promote Wisley to the gardening World than these pages.

I couldn't agree more !
A stupid decision !  >:(
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Tim Ingram on February 10, 2012, 12:20:13 PM
I think the other aspect of a Log like that at Wisley is that it actually gives one time to sit back and reflect on what one does and plan future activities. To put someone who is already extremely active and capable under even more pressure seems counter-productive. Would be most interesting to know if the RHS note any of the discussions occurring within other societies? The same criticism presumably could be made of Kew, although they do have a blog on the Kew website which is often very interesting.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: astragalus on February 10, 2012, 12:49:49 PM
Very disappointing to hear the news about the Wisley Alpine Log.  After visiting the new crevice garden before the Nottingham Conference, I really looked forward to updates.  There were so many wonderful plants coming along in the propagation house and I was hoping to see what made it into the crevice garden, which as anyone knows who has constructed one, eats plants at an enormous rate.  It was very sparse for our visit, but time and new plantings will help that.  I guess you have to live in England if you want to see the progress.  Doesn't lack of information usually lead to lack of interest? 
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 11, 2012, 11:06:57 PM
Doesn't lack of information usually lead to lack of interest? 

Surely one of the most profound statements ever made, anywhere on the Forum. It could fit comfortably into many threads with great benefit.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: razvan chisu on February 12, 2012, 08:39:36 AM
If Paul was writing the blog on 'company time' I can understand the right of RHS to stop it if real gardening tasks are more urgent and important.
But I know the RHS has a wide use of volunteers (they say more than a thousand).
Why not use some of those people to write and create a blog on the gardens? I'm sure there would be plenty of persons who would love to take and post pictures and comments on the RHS garndes (not just Wisley and not just the alpine sections). Living abroad I would love to read such blogs.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ArnoldT on February 12, 2012, 03:46:14 PM
I wonder if the stats are available of how many times the Wisley Log was downloaded and read.

Seems to me that would be a enormous marketing tool in the hands of a promotional Dept.

I also would be interested in the mission statement of the RHS, too keep everything they do a secret!
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 12, 2012, 09:25:04 PM
Your suggestion is an excelleent one Razvan. Indeed volunteers are the very life blood of many organisations. This very one here for instance. I too would love the log/blog to continue as I'm sure all would who can't just "pop along the road" to Wisley every now and then.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Gerry Webster on February 12, 2012, 11:04:13 PM
According to the Home Page on their Website:

"The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK's leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening.

Our goal is to help people share a passion for plants, to encourage excellence in horticulture and inspire all those with an interest in gardening."

I would have thought that the Wisley Alpine Log was an excellent contribution to these aims.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ArnoldT on February 12, 2012, 11:10:23 PM
Gerry:

As I thought.

What was the Shakespeare line..

Act I, Scene 4: Marcellus (an officer) says "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark," having just seen the ghost of Hamlet's father, the late king of Denmark.

 
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 12, 2012, 11:56:43 PM
If someone knows how to start an Online petition, I would certainly sign it. If it happens, the words quoted above "Our goal is.......interest in gardening" should be included in the purpose of the petition.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ArnoldT on February 13, 2012, 01:59:45 AM
I think it is a good idea.  As long as we don't put Paul in a further  difficult position.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Maggi Young on February 13, 2012, 03:43:30 PM
Friends, I can confirm that each Wisley Log was downloaded by thousands of readers with only positive feedback received for the venture.

Today Paul has sent the final Wisley Log, which is loaded to the main website and can be seen here :
 http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2012Feb131329147216Log_12_of_2011_Final.pdf
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ashley on February 13, 2012, 04:31:41 PM
Many thanks Paul. 
Your logs were fascinating and an inspiration for the majority of us who can't visit Wisley easily. 
Ironic that they should have to end because this kind of outreach counters the elitist image of the RHS in the wider world.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ronm on February 13, 2012, 04:37:08 PM
Yes, many thanks Paul. Thoroughly enjoyed each log and truly looked forward to reading them each month. Good luck to you in all you do.  ;)
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Gerry Webster on February 13, 2012, 04:39:59 PM
Many thanks Paul.  
Your logs were fascinating and an inspiration for the majority of us who can't visit Wisley easily.  
Ironic that they should have to end because this kind of outreach counters the elitist image of the RHS in the wider world.

Ashley - I would have thought the RHS were trying to cultivate a 'populist' rather than an 'elitist' image & an 'Alpine Log' does not conform with this -  too exotic.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ArnoldT on February 13, 2012, 04:41:10 PM
Many thanks Paul.

You have contributed to my knowledge and passion for the geophytes around us.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ashley on February 13, 2012, 04:43:37 PM
Do you mean horticulturally or socially Gerry ;)
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ArnoldT on February 13, 2012, 04:46:06 PM
Actually both.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Gerry Webster on February 13, 2012, 05:09:45 PM
Do you mean horticulturally or socially Gerry ;)
I mean horticulturally 'populist'. I was tempted to refer to  'dumbing down', very fashionable in Britain these days.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ashley on February 13, 2012, 06:26:34 PM
Agreed, and not only in Britain.
Unfortunately horticulture and related organisations are still tainted with snobbery here and perhaps in other post-colonial countries (hence 'elitist'). 
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ronm on February 13, 2012, 06:34:41 PM
Agreed Ashley. Unfortunately it seems to me that in certain circles it is encouraged. :(
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 13, 2012, 06:36:13 PM
I couldn't agree more Ashley.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: David Nicholson on February 13, 2012, 06:38:00 PM
Many thanks Paul.

You have contributed to my knowledge and passion for the geophytes around us.


.... and heartily seconded. Grateful thanks Paul.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 13, 2012, 06:41:02 PM
Quote
Unfortunately it seems to me that in certain circles it is encouraged.

Unfortunately I am a reluctant member of one such club, have no choice as there is no alternative.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Gerry Webster on February 13, 2012, 06:51:32 PM
I don't normally read the Daily Telegraph but I just found this on the 'crisis' at the RHS:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/6175529/Crisis-at-the-Royal-Horticultural-Society.html
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 13, 2012, 06:57:35 PM
I don't normally read the Daily Telegraph but I just found this on the 'crisis' at the RHS:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/6175529/Crisis-at-the-Royal-Horticultural-Society.html

Is it any wonder when they have cut virtually all the London Shows?
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: ronm on February 13, 2012, 06:58:24 PM
Thanks Gerry. Says everything to me!
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: David Nicholson on February 13, 2012, 07:46:34 PM
I don't normally read the Daily Telegraph ..........

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/6175529/Crisis-at-the-Royal-Horticultural-Society.html

Glad to hear that Gerry ;D  The article is from 2009 (fairly current for The Telegraph I would have thought!) but I suppose it's still relevant.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Gerry Webster on February 13, 2012, 08:44:53 PM
I'm obviously getting senile, didn't take in the date. Apologies to all!
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Ian Y on February 13, 2012, 08:47:24 PM
Nothing can go on for ever and today, after four years, the final Wisley Log was posted.
We will all miss this regular view of what is happening in the Alpine Department and Rock garden at Wisley. Let us celebrate the wonderful skills Paul has as a communicator and thank the RHS for facilitating the four years of logs. 
Both the SRGC and RHS are charities and share a common purpose to promote gardening. We have co-operated together in a number of ways over many years and  I hope that we will continue to find other ways in which we can  further our mutual interests spreading knowledge and pleasure about horticulture and plants to as wide a community as possible.
For now we can continue to dip into and re-read the four years of Paul’s Wisley log which will remain on the SRGC website.
We also hope to be able to flag up any posts on the RHS website, or other media, that refer to the Rock Garden and Alpine departments like the one on Hepatica
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Plant-features/Hepaticas-at-RHS-Garden-Wisley
I know just how much time and work goes into producing a regular log such as this and we cannot expect anyone to do it for ever so thank you to Paul Cumbleton and the RHS for sharing this log with both the SRGC and AGS for the last four years. It has been a wonderful insight to the Rock Garden and Alpine Department at Wisley and has made many more people around the world aware of the excellent work that goes on in Wisley.
Title: Re: Wisley Alpine Log- finale
Post by: Tim Ingram on February 14, 2012, 11:14:54 AM
That is a wonderful final log Paul! I shouldn't be too dismayed because I live close enough to Wisley to visit quite often and see progress. However, as well as the beautifully grown plants it is always nice to read such informative and valuable commentary, so I hope you are able to find time to write for the Alpine Journals and about the enjoyment you get from growing the plants.
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