Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
SRGC Shows and Events => SRGC Shows Questions and Answers => Topic started by: Maggi Young on February 08, 2014, 06:49:58 PM
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The SRGC Discussion Weekend 2014 will again be held in the highland town of Grantown on Spey.
Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th October
Following last year's very successful event, early bookings have been made and already there are no more single rooms available for the Discussion Weekend : there are guest houses in Grantown and people could attend as day delegates, though even this too will be limited.
Book soon to be sure of a place!
SRGC Discussion Weekend 2014
Programme
The 2014 Discussion weekend programme’s two themes intertwine the Himalayas and the Americas. This year’s speakers include some weel-kent faces and four speakers new to Scotland.
On Friday, John Amand will give the bulb lecture, talking on woodland bulbs and the route from nursery to garden. The talk will be followed by the small bulb exchange.
Saturday starts with optional woodland walks and the show. After lunch, Ian Christie begins our talks by describing the new developments with Meconopsis.
Kit Strange is on the alpine staff at Kew and will talk on the joint Kew¬Falklands native conservation project.
Nicola Ripley is Director of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado, and will talk about their development and their interesting features. Saturday evening comprises the reception, dinner and plant auction.
Sunday starts with Arve Elvebakk, Director of the Tromsø Botanic Gardens in Norway; Vail and Tromsø are respectively the highest and northernmost botanic gardens in the world.
Michal Hoppel, from Poland, is a keen grower of alpines, with a special interest in crevices and Asteraceae.
Stephanie Ferguson gardens in Calgary, Canada, using crevice garden techniques to grow a wide range of rare plants.
For each of the four latter speakers, this will be their first speaking engagement in Scotland, so their talks promise us interesting new viewpoints.
Finally, Tim Lever will round off the weekend with the tale of his expedition to Arunchal Pradesh.
We are delighted to keep the cost to £198 per person for the weekend for two persons sharing (see the below for full price details and booking form).
Thursday night or Sunday night or both are available at £65 DB&B per person per night. Outside this period the Grant Arms will welcome your company at its normal rate.
We look forward to seeing you all in October.
If you have any questions or queries please contact Carol Shaw (srgcsec@googlemail.com).
Beware! Last year the Discussion Weekend was very quickly fully booked; please make your reservation as soon as you decide to come.
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Notes from the DWE Team:
After the success of last year’s excursion to North Scotland, the organizing team once again invites you to Grantown on Spey for yet more Highland hospitality. The planned town, built in 1766 by Sir James Grant of Castle Grant, features a broad High Street with the town square and our hotel at its northern end. Almost unique amongst Scottish towns, it has no chain stores, just a range of independent shops, cafes and bars. It is a small town and, having suffered little from modern housing developments, still enjoys its peaceful location amongst woodlands alongside the River Spey.
It must be good for the spirit because locals still smile at strangers in the street!
Last year’s participants were delighted with the Grant Arms Hotel, built as part of the original town and located in the middle of the square. Recent refurbishments ensure a very high standard of comfort. As well as being guests of the Grant Arms we are also guests of the Bird Watchers and Wildlife Club (BWWC, www.bwwc.co.uk (http://www.bwwc.co.uk)) and all of their facilities are available to delegates. The hotel is cosy, having forty-eight rooms, two of which have been converted to suit disabled guests, while six are available as single rooms. When all the rooms in the Grant Arms have been filled, delegates will be placed in the equally pleasant eighteen bedroom Garth Hotel just a hundred metres away across the square.
Delegates arriving by car should leave the A9 at Aviemore and follow the A95 to and through Grantown. The hotel is on the right of the square. If you are coming by public transport we recommend the scenic train journey through the Grampian Mountains to Aviemore and then onwards by the frequent bus service to Grantown square.
Saturday morning is, as usual, free time for delegates and organizers to enjoy arranged visits. At Grantown we have a problem – there is just so much to recommend! Firstly, the Grant Arms is the base for Bird Watchers and Wildlife Club which will provide guides to take you on a wildlife walk in the neighbouring Anagach Woods and by the River Spey. Both long and short walks are planned. Did you know that there is a native plant garden located at 600 metres on Cairngorm mountain? The gardener will be waiting at Cairngorm to tell you all about his garden, after which you might like to ride the funicular to the Ptarmigan Station to see the views and enjoy the world famous hot chocolate.
We suggest that Grantown is a place to come for a longer break, with the Discussion Weekend as the ‘jewel in the crown’; there is just so much to see and do. If you interested in fishing, we can arrange a day on the River Spey -but remember that the season ends on 30th September. If golf is your or your partner’s secret vice, Grantown has its own magnificent eighteen¬hole course; or you can drive up to Nairn to try the two links courses. Even if you don’t spend your extra days at the Grant Arms the BWWC people will gladly help you plan your time up here in the Highlands.
For a flavour of last year's Show etc at the DWE - see here : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10060.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10060.0)
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Places are VERY limited for the Discussion Weekend - if you wish to attend I suggest you apply NOW!!!
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There are literally a handful of places in the extremely salubrious Garth available! If you have been havering then I suggest you need to book now!
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Do you need a boost in October to get you prepared for the winter?
Find yourself getting moody in autumn about the darkening days?
The SRGC can help!!
Only two rooms left now for the SRGC Discussion Weekend - book now for weekend of fun with the Scottish Rockers and painless learning from our excellent speakers.
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Reminder about the weekend programme .......
The 2014 Discussion weekend programme’s two themes intertwine the Himalayas and the Americas. This year’s speakers include some weel-kent faces and four speakers new to Scotland.
On Friday, John Amand will give the bulb lecture, talking on woodland bulbs and the route from nursery to garden. The talk will be followed by the small bulb exchange.
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John Amand in the Wisley camassia meadow - photo by Colin Crosbie
Saturday starts with optional woodland walks and the show. After lunch, Ian Christie begins our talks by describing the new developments with Meconopsis.
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Cyril Lafong with Ian Christie in Tabor at Czech Conference
Kit Strange is on the alpine staff at Kew and will talk on the joint Kew-Falklands native conservation project.
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Kit Strange - she has recently returned from an expedition to Tajikistan with RBGE
Nicola Ripley is Director of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado, and will talk about their development and their interesting features. Saturday evening comprises the reception, dinner and plant auction.
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Sunday starts with Arve Elvebakk, Director of the Tromsø Botanic Gardens in Norway
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Michal Hoppel, from Poland, is a keen grower of alpines, with a special interest in crevices and Asteraceae.
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Stephanie Ferguson gardens in Calgary, Canada, using crevice garden techniques to grow a wide range of rare plants in a quite extraordinary garden
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What a line up - how could you miss it?
For each of the four latter speakers, this will be their first speaking engagement in Scotland, so their talks promise us interesting new viewpoints.
Finally, Tim Lever will round off the weekend with the tale of his expedition to Arunchal Pradesh.
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What a fantastic line up! We have booked to go to the Great Dixter event that weekend (and need to sell plants) but otherwise... oh, I would love to hear those speakers :( :)
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You would be more than welcome to attend some other year, Tim - and bring plants to sell, too .
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Sounds like a grand weekend, Maggi.
Such a pity we can't get there, but the travel budget has been spent on extending our house this year :(
It would be good to get over for one of these in the future, so we'll keep an eye on your notices! And we hope the Forumists who attend will remember their cameras and get some time to post pics,
cheers
fermi
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NEWS FLASH 8th August 2014
Good news! There is still time to book for the SRGC Discussion Weekend. Due to the delay in your journal being delivered you can book up to 28 August! Currently there are four rooms available if you are interested email Carol Shaw findhorncarol@icloud.com
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NEWS FLASH 30th August 2014
There are no residential places left for the SRGC Discussion Weekend, all rooms are fully booked.
There may be the chance of a late cancellation - so if you are interested email Carol Shaw findhorncarol@icloud.com
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Aquilegia triternata (Barrel Columbine) at the BFAG in Vail
Interested in seeing some more about the Betty Ford Alpine Garden where DWE Speaker Nicola Ripley works?
See their facebook photos : https://www.facebook.com/BettyFordAlpineGardens?ref=stream (https://www.facebook.com/BettyFordAlpineGardens?ref=stream)
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"Nick and our two interns, Montana & Madra, adding new plants to our Tufa Garden. Tufa is a form of porous limestone that can easily be drilled to accommodate alpines."
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Can anyone tell me if the show is open to the public this year, and if so what time please.
Thanks
Ivan
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Hello Ivan,
The show will certainly be open to the public from 10.30am - 12.00noon on Saturday - it says that in the programme we've been sent : 10.30 - 12.00 Show and Plant sales open to public
In the Show Schedules - see here : http://files.srgc.net/show_info/ShowSchedules2014.pdf (http://files.srgc.net/show_info/ShowSchedules2014.pdf)
it says DISCUSSION WEEKEND SHOW GRANTOWN- ON-SPEY
4th and 5th October 2014
SHOW SECRETARY:
VENUE: GRANT ARMS HOTEL
ENTRIES :
To Show Secretary, by Wednesday before the show.
Late entries accepted until 1 hour before judging
STAGING:3.00-5.30 pm, Friday before the show and 8.00-9.00 am, Saturday
JUDGING: Begins at 9.00 am
SHOW CLOSURE: The Show closes at 1.45 pm, Sunday
- but I am not sure exactly what times the show hall will be open outside the main time given.
Thisis because those staffing the room will have other duties during the weekend and the room is likely to be closed during the talks etc. It might be better to contact John Owen or David Shaw, their phone numbers and emails are in the show schedules. (page 43)
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So it might not be open to the public on the Sunday, which is more when I was thinking.
I'll send them a quick email and ask - thanks Maggi.
Ivan
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Only the Saturday morning, Ivan. The rest of the time the trade stand people, stewards etc. will be enjoying the lectures and the show area will be unmanned.
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Thanks David.
I thought that might be the case, which is a pity as typically Saturday morning is the one time I am tied up else where.
Never mind I will look forward to seeing some photo's here on the forum perhaps.
Ivan
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Have a fun time everyone and hope to see lots of pictures of what I am missing out on.
Angie :)
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We're just getting ready to leave, Angela - we'll miss you !
M xx
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Have a safe trip Maggi hopefully will make it next year.
Angie :)
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Thanks Angela -we hope the rain is only here at the coast. The weather was so lovely last year - and this time we have three dogs to cope with! Must be mad! (Well, you already knew that!)
M xx
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I bet you are away already, but next time you leave those three babies with me. I have Lola this weekend and we could have had so much fun.
Angie :)
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Hope everyone has a great weekend. Susan and I will be attending the weekends again in future I'm sure but work/college commitments have kept us away for a few years. Sadly we have other commitments next weekend too, so no Ponteland show for us either :'(
I am doing something related to Scottish plants this week though - analysing phytopigment concentrations in Salix leaves from Edinburgh!
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A very successful weekend enjoyed by all. First quick pictures.The Forrest medal went to a fine Shortia from past and present presidents Carole and Ian Bainbridge. The Peel Trophy for three gentians to Beryl and Ian McNaughton with three of Ian's hybrids. The Jim Lever cyclamen trophy was won by Roma Fiddes with C . rohlfsianum as part of a good three pan entry. Mala Janes had a merit cert. for another fine cyclamen. The Mowat conifer trophy was won by weekend organisers Carol and David Shaw.
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The East Lothian trophy for class 3 three alpines went to your reporter which could be said to be appropriate as I live in that fine county. Due to entering the most plants I also retained the Mary Bowe trophy for most points in the open section. My Cassiope which unexpectedly burst into full flower in the last few days received a merit cert. A snap I took on a local beach was awarded the Reivers trophy for a Scottish native plant. However the best photos in the show were from the talented McCaughey pairing with another very good set of holiday pictures.
The other cups listed in the schedule were not awarded due to lack of entries in the relevant class or section. Although the show was a good one it was disappointing that there were so few section 2 entries that the two potential exhibitors just put their plants into the open section.
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..............................Although the show was a good one it was disappointing that there were so few section 2 entries that the two potential exhibitors just put their plants into the open section.
Many thanks for your report Stan. Was this perhaps because of a difficult growing season or just a lack of "Showers" at this time of year?
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Section 2 has fewer entries at most shows as many people have moved into section 1 and there is not the movement in to take their places. The exception is Highland which has not long been on the national circuit. Aberdeen had a good section 2 and it seems that much missed show may be about to n return
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Now a walk round the hall. Class I for 6 small pans then class 2 for three small. I think Jean Wyllie was second in the six and first with the three -she put lots of bulbs into the show. Then views of the gentians and ericaceous plants finally Roma's three cyclamens.
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.............attached this time. First two colourful colchicum pots then hardy succulents including one of Nick Boss' distinctive sedums growing in its habitat, cushion plants won by Lionel Clarkson with an impressive pair, finally plants in fruit with Microcachrys tetragona, one of the world smallest conifers, with tiny cones
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All sorts of foliage plants and shrubs.
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yet more- African plants, Australasian plants, plants that did not fit any other classes with a colourful Oxalis I think from Kath Rimmer, a nice set of Sorbus fruits from Cathy Caudwell, and another holiday photo set from those inveterate travellers Margaret and Henry Taylor.
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People among the plants.
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and more...
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yet more
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and others
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three nurseries -Aberconwy, Ardfearn and Amand -as well as the club plant stall and of course Glassford with his extremely useful labels.
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trophies ready for the presentation, all the very good talks, members signing a get well card for Jim Sutherland, opportunities for watching the local wildlife or just catching up with friends.
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finally two entries into the caption competition.
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As one of the DWE organisers I can say that I was extremely happy with the show and the whole weekend. So many of the attractions were so much better supported than in 2013 and that was entirely due to the delegates. In the show hall staging had to be halted on Friday morning, when we realised that entries were going to be much higher than anticipated, so that we could insert another row of tables (pic 2380). That is the hotel manager with his back to us and wearing a 'proper' shirt! Quality was generally good also even though we all were having a difficult time with our bulbs. Crocuses were not good and all entrants were constantly removing handfulls of fallen blooms from our cyclamen. On the other hand some plants, such as the gentians, really shone. See Stan's pics for for the plants, so much better than any I took - thanks for sharing them, Stan.
The photo competions were also much better supported. In 2013 the trade stand people were not overly impressed with their sales but had no reason to feel disappointed this year.
One of the most surprising differences was in the Friday evening 'bulb exchange'. One of the poorest that I have seen in 2013 but this year we were inundated with donations (pic 2402). And, not only that. We normally remove unsold bulbs at the end of the exchange and take them down to the club sales table, this year, for the first time that I can remember, the last packet was lifted from the table in less than half-an-hour after the start of the event! Remarkable.
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Al Elliott tweets : Almost a full house at TheBotanics for the joint Scottish Rock GC and Royal Caledonian Horticulture Society talk by Nicola Ripley, Director of the Betty Ford Alpine Garden at Vail , Colorado - we very much enjoyed this talk at the DWE ....
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Another pic from Edinburgh - Nicola's talk.....
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The only word I can find do describe the DWE is - fantastic! For anyone who hasn't been before, I can only say GO!! Easily accessible and beautiful location. Excellent facilities and great service at the hotel, including top notch food. Eight outstanding lectures, plus so many fine plants in the show and plenty of opportunities for retail therapy. But more than anything, the warm welcome from all the members and interesting discussions we had really made it a great weekend. Saving the pennies for next year...
And, to top off a great weekend I arrived home to find a package full of Crocus seeds, which made up for the ferry cancellation :)
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The only word I can find do describe the DWE is - fantastic! For anyone who hasn't been before, I can only say GO!! Easily accessible and beautiful location. Excellent facilities and great service at the hotel, including top notch food. Eight outstanding lectures, plus so many fine plants in the show and plenty of opportunities for retail therapy. But more than anything, the warm welcome from all the members and interesting discussions we had really made it a great weekend. Saving the pennies for next year...
Hi Matt, delighted you enjoyed the weekend you were a big help one way and another… Looking forward to having you back next year :)
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... I arrived home to find a package full of Crocus seeds, which made up for the ferry cancellation :)
If more transport authorities were to offer compensation in the form of seeds or plants, what a wonderful world it would be! ;D
cheers
fermi
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Looks like the DW is the pinnacle of the SRGC year. From what I can see this event goes from strength to strength.
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Looks like the DW is the pinnacle of the SRGC year. From what I can see this event goes from strength to strength.
Thank you Anthony… it certainly seemed like the pinnacle this last weekend. Now all our team of four have to do is make it even better next year!
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It was a super weekend - the talks were all a delight - quite a task for Ian to get all the different formats from the speakers working on a rather intemperate and decidedly dodgy laptop to get projection on the lovely big screen. And the "new" sound system was quite something to cope with too - the BD showed his versatility with it all as usual - I can't remember when he wasn't dealing with all that side of things for every discussion weekend - makes long days for him and I wonder at times how he copes. Pretty important that he does though, eh? !
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Maggi, David & I certainly appreciated Ian's work over the weekend and your's, along with the team who ran the Show Hall. I certainly recognise the amount of work the Ian puts in to make sure all the speakers can actually be heard! There was no intention to slight either Ian or yourself in my previous post. I will now vanish off the Forum again...
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Last Saturday afternoon when most of us were in the lecture hall a colleague, Pete Gordon, was taking his usual weekend constitutional on the Cairngorm plateau with Dava the dog - what had fallen as rain at Grantown was snow higher up - the first of the winter,
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Picturesque up there, isn't it?
Dava looks a bit cheesed off though :-X
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"It's all right you for you mate I'm in me bare feet" So sayeth Dava
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Does anyone have contact details for Kaj and Mina from Denmark? They gave me their card at the DWE but now I can't find it :-\ If you can PM me with an email address that would be great.
Many thanks,
M
PS: It seems to be my day for losing things. Earlier I spent a quarter hour searching high and low and in all sorts of unlikely places for my pot of Narcissus 'Taffeta' only to find it was there all along, hidden under some Cyclamen leaves! ::)
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Sending you a pm, Matt.
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There are reports on the Forrest Medal Plant at Grantown here :
http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/GrantownForrest2014.pdf (http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/GrantownForrest2014.pdf) and a report on the show, compiled by Sandy from Stan's words and pictures here :
http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/DWEGrantown2014.pdf (http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/DWEGrantown2014.pdf)
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