Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
SRGC Shows and Events => Events => Topic started by: Martinr on February 19, 2012, 09:08:17 AM
-
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet (If I've missed the thread elsewhere, apologies. I'm sure Maggie will apply the appropriate corrective treatment :o).
Definitely worth a look, not least because many of the exhibits are growing in the garden, not pots, and there are a number of garden shots which are quite inspiring.
http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/competitions/online-show/ (http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/competitions/online-show/)
-
Hi Martin,
Is this lack of a thread symptomatic perhaps of how few people are actually using the AGS site?
The on-line show is an excellent initiative that deserves greater exposure ... you have now ensured that. :D
-
Hi Martin,
Is this lack of a thread symptomatic perhaps of how few people are actually using the AGS site?
The on-line show is an excellent initiative that deserves greater exposure ... you have now ensured that. :D
Judging by the number of entrants I don't think it does indicate that, only that it is used by people not active on forums.
-
Had a look at the AGS online show results.... so many great photos and super plants.
I see that a very large number of both the entrants and winners are SRGC forumists.... perhaps they all already knew what was there?
-
I have looked at a few of the categories and my eyes are still boggled.
Have bookmarked the site and will look at others later with fresh eyes.
Some amazingly beautiful plants.
Sighhhhhhhhhh!!
-
It's also worth a look back through the years to see how it has developed and the increase in the quantity, and quality, of entries since 2006, indicated if, by nothing else, my own success declining by a factor of 4 :P :P :'(
-
Yes Martin,I am in decline also,I did not have as many entries this time as in previous years,It is hard to keep finding and remembering to photograph something different each year.Your remarks on the ags dicussion page were interesting,only five or was it six of the exhibitors this time were there at the begining.
-
There are some beautiful gardens pictured on this 'On Line Show'. I don't know about other gardeners but personally I love sharing my garden by opening it and writing about it (like many people do in blogs), but I don't so much like it being judged - I'm too good at doing that myself! I do wonder if this restricts the use of the AGS website? Gardens are very personal things and have so much more about them than simply the way they look - I think it is very much better to go about sharing the way you make them day to day and the enjoyment that comes from this, than trying to give them the same image as the Shows and Show plants. They are different and very individual.
-
Tim, I disagree. Forget the 'judging', it's just a bit of fun that keeps us all from getting cabin fever. It opens up the AGS website, it doesn't restrict its use. You've mercilessly berated the website here and on the AGS forum for not doing a great job, now you're berating a bit that works. Give the guys a break!
Apologies to all, but occasionally I have to have a rant
-
Martin - I am in no way trying to criticise the wonder of either the Shows or the gardens on the website and the strength of my posts on the AGS website has been really in proportion to the lack of response, because of how much I think these things need to be discussed. My simple belief is that for the website to really work it needs to present at least some aspects of the Society in ways that capture the imagination of many more gardeners outside the Society. I've always been aware that there is quite a divide between my way of thinking and others, so it could be that I am wrong to be quite so 'merciless' (at heart I would love to grow many plants as well as so many AGS members!). Anyway I do take what you say seriously and value it and apologise if I have upset anyone.
-
And it's nice for the overseas members to have the opportunity to join in the shows which otherwise we couldn't. We're not so conceited are we that we don't like someone else's plant to be judged a better one than our own? I hope not.
-
The winning garden in 2011 is Luc scheldeman's - all the more remarkable considering a large part of it was a 'lake' surrounding an island bed (now a crevice garden) only 2 years previously
Well done Luc
-
Thanks Arthur.
It took me many hours, tonnes of soil and a lot of new plants.
The same rock garden with the pond got a first in 2007, but I wanted to change this part at a certain time.
-
I think the On Line Show is great fun! For the reason Lesley states and also because it's a rare chance to look in on members gardens from around the world.
-
Thanks Arthur.
It took me many hours, tonnes of soil and a lot of new plants.
The same rock garden with the pond got a first in 2007, but I wanted to change this part at a certain time.
:o :o ;D ;D ( of course, Luc S is quite a young man.......... ;) )
-
Must enter my HUGE dwarf conifer this next time. Cryptomeria japonica 'Tensan,' about 25 years old now.
-
I have always entered individual plants ( in pots) and think this is not the way for this Show, and will not be doing it again. The nuances of a single / small group of plants cannot be evaluated on a 2d photo, despite some outdated expression of expertise! Therefore I consider this aspect of this initiative redundant and irrelevant.
However, the positive aspect of this 'Show' is, as has been, said,
1. Anyone can show their gardens from around the globe,
2. Growing skill and combinations can be expressed, unlike a traditional one day show,
3.Gardening skills can be shown to the full ( not available in a plant show),
4. Things I haven't thought of yet but am sure are there.
I for one will not be participating again, ......but if some other group were to initiate something similar but with more sympathy to the global aspect and the operating medium, .... well I'd reconsider.
Arrogant? maybe. :-*
-
I think near the beginning of the Online Show it was stated that (within reason) the plant quality was to be judged, not the photgraph quality, so a superb specimen of a Dionysia poorly photographed would probably win over basic Prim. vulgaris well photographed. Correct me if I'm wrong here.
I was a bit surprised this time to see some of the judges' comments in the Iris class, always a first look for me. Something about more of the plant should be seen and in a suggestion that an iris was 'White Falls.' It had distinctly coloured falls on my screen anyway. With so many classes for individual families, Gentianaceae, Gesneriaceae etc, inevitably many entries will be of potted plants. I haven't entered for a couple of years but mainly because I've not had plants worth the photographing recently. I hope to redress this during this year.
What surprises me is that of the NZ entries at least, and there are precious few of them, it is Forumists who are the entrants. Why not some of those who do very well indeed at our NZAGS show? I guess either one takes part in Online things whether showing, discussion or whatever, or one doesn't.
-
You are absolutely right Lesley. It was stated that this was not a photographic competition, etc.
I guess my point is that to see all of a plant in a photograph can make the picture so unclear as to make it unjudgeable! And when we consider that about 15% of the winning plants only showed flowers, its makes the show appear very silly to me! BUT it would be great if it was only for garden shots, groupings and combinations. Forget if its subspecies x and therefore wrongly labelled, ( leave that to the 'live' shows,) go for the skills and overall appraisal of those members who physically cannot or have no interest in showing individual plants in pots! I don't believe the AGS will do his, and I can no longer be bothered to poke them for a response, but someone might, one day :)
-
If I may be permitted to disagree with the judges whoever they are, the class for a fruiting plant was inconsistent. The Ruscus may well have been photographed at night (I don't know obviously) and that could have been the reason why it was overlooked but it was hardly true to say there was not enough plant shown. After all, it was the fruit which the class called for. The first prize went to Podophyllum hexandrum with equally fine fruit but the plant itself was cut off at the top and it too, I would therefore have said not enough plant was shown. The effect was like that of a photo of a person but the feet missed by the camera.
One change I would like to see in the Rules of the show, is that the same photo could not be entered in two classes. After all at any other show a plant can't be in two places at once. An example is that two of the three photos in both the Southern Hemisphere class and the Australasia class are the same. It's no reflection on the exhibitor or on the picture but surely with so much material available, exhibitors could produce two pictures for the two classes.
-
Some good comment and suggestions here but can I suggest you also post your thoughts on the AGS Forum to make sure they are seen by the people who can make a difference.
If you're concerned they won't be spotted I'll even take the responsibility of making sure the right people know they are there.
A few comments of my own.
It's meant to be fun so don't take it too seriously, note there is always a first unlike a 'real' show.
The judges comments are meant to be helpful advice so you can gain more red stickers next year.
The 'same photo in several classes' debate is ongoing. It has to date been allowed to encourage the maximum number of entries.
If you really want to have a bit of fun judge it yourself using the members choice facility and see how many you agree with the judges on (don't be hard take note of your 1st and 2nds). Quite educational.
And finally, remember, grumbling about judges decisions is standard for exhibitors at any show...I've even been known to question why they gave my plant a first!
-
Here's a suggestion then (and I made a similar remark on the AGS website); I do like the idea of members (and possibly also visitors to the website) judging the on-line gardens themselves - because whatever I say we do all judge what we look at - and we used to do something similar at the HPS Flower Show I was involved in for a class of cut flowers grouped in an arrangement (I suppose you could say analagous to a garden). In this case visitors to the Show judged the arrangements by putting beans into bowls, simple but effective. The stimulus would then be that the winning garden would be written about and featured in the Bulletin, so we could all gain a more in depth description. I am sure if garden owners were not keen to write up their own garden, friends or other AGS members could do so. This could have the combined benefit of stimulating the website (like Martin hopes), encouraging more members to contribute to the Bulletin (which could only be a good thing), and linking together the two, which again may stimulate new ideas and contributions in general. So I do withdraw the critique I made earlier, on the proviso that something like this can be made to work. I would find it fascinating.
-
Tim, that is an excellent idea.
-
Just came across this thread tonight, and basically I’m with you, Martin! Here’s my thoughts, for what they’re worth:
1. For the first time I entered a few pictures on the AGS On-Line Show, just for a bit of fun and to see how they would measure up. I’m too far from Christchurch to take plants to the NZAGS show there.
2. Thankfully the AGS Show Schedule states that “Errors in naming will not disqualify” and I’m glad to have suggestions for the correct names for a couple of my plants
3. I don’t think I’m alone in being a bit reticent about showing and/or taking part in forums. For my part, I was stung when some time ago someone accused me of "showing off", whereas I was under the impression I was "sharing" my best plants. After that I stepped back somewhat. Other people are perhaps just too busy to join in showing and/or posting, more private and self-effacing or plain computer-shy.
4. If I’m judging a plant, I want to see it all, front and back and underneath as well, so the same goes for photos. It’s not too hard to take a nice photo of a few selected perfect blooms or perfect fruits in close-up, but I still want to see if it’s got manky leaves!
5. And finally, as the winner of the Australasian and Southern Hemisphere classes (yes, with the same photo of the same plant!) sorry but I actually didn’t have another quality Australasian or Southern Hemisphere plant or I'd have put it in – I’ll try and do better next year!
-
In response to Tim's suggestion, personally I’m not sure about viewers having the vote. My efforts in the On-Line Show included 8 Members’ Choices, but only 5 of these won red stickers. The other 3 were deservedly beaten by better/rarer/more difficult plants, but (although I know it sounds elitist) Joe Public doesn’t always know what’s rare, difficult and slow to grow. I'm still learning myself.
Our local garden circle has a small competition each month, where everyone joins in the judging by awarding buttons rather than beans, and all too often it’s the eye-catching peony that gets the most buttons rather than the little soldanella.
I can see the Members’ Choice system might work well for gardens, but for specimen plants perhaps a combined system of judges + Members’ Choice?
-
Doreen, I am horrified that anyone would seriously accuse you of "showing off".
That is something of which a mis-guided person might accuse anyone sharing their pictures, plants or knowledge - I would hope that we would all realise that if that those sharing were to be stung into reticence by such comments, then we would all be the poorer and learn precious little.
Interesting that all these comments about the AGS photo show are being made here - the obvious conclusion to be drawn is that people feel their comments are able to be made here and discussion ensue. The reasons for that may well be, as Martin has hinted, that it is not felt that any notice would be taken of them elsewhere.
In this Forum, there is so much opportunity for members to share their photos, whether of plants in pots, in their gardens or in the wild for the simple pleasure of sharing that it has never seemed necessary to have a "show" .... indeed, the over-emphasis on Shows in general is one which is a recurring criticism of other organisations and so this forum provides a non-competitive arena to share our plants and gardens at will.
Some good comment and suggestions here but can I suggest you also post your thoughts on the AGS Forum to make sure they are seen by the people who can make a difference.
If you're concerned they won't be spotted I'll even take the responsibility of making sure the right people know they are there.
Since the various suggestion for the AGS online show are being made here, perhaps we can ask Martin to ensure that they are "seen by the people who can make a difference" if those posting here are disinclined to post in the AGS site for whatever reason.
It would be a shame if their comments went unseen.
-
Doreen, I am horrified that anyone would seriously accuse you of "showing off".
That is something of which a mis-guided person might accuse anyone sharing their pictures, plants or knowledge -
Maybe like Miss Piggy I should have given that stupid mis-informed beholder a black eye!
-
Doreen, I am horrified that anyone would seriously accuse you of "showing off".
That is something of which a mis-guided person might accuse anyone sharing their pictures, plants or knowledge -
Maybe like Miss Piggy I should have given that stupid mis-informed beholder a black eye!
But only if you'd been willing to post the pictures, we like a good action movie :)
-
Doreen's comment about some people being reticent about showing and / or taking part in forums is an important point. For many of us, gardening is a solitary sport and sharing can be a little unnerving. The On Line Show is non threatening and as Doreen states 'just for a bit of fun and to see how they would measure up'. I find it difficult to criticize the learned people who take the time and effort to examine and judge all the entries. Every time I read the (sometimes rather harsh) comments about the AGS I think of all those dedicated souls who do such a wonderful job. Perhaps those seeking change should adopt the position ' First, do no harm'. In the continuing debate about the various websites and forums I think a simple survey card could be included with the respective societies publication. This would reach all members, not just those accessing the website. A few pointed questions concerning members priorities and wishes could establish a consensus. This seems a much more democratic approach than making a web postings and waiting for members to reply.
-
Ken - it can also be those dedicated souls (like myself) who make harsh comments, not really to criticise but because we feel as strongly as others and see the need for new people to become involved in running the societies; never an easy thing for those who are being 'challenged', but surely necessary at times. Ultimately any challenging views will only get taken up if accepted as being of value and doing no harm as you say. Words are just there to exchange ideas, they do nothing in themselves. Why even judge something unless there is some sort of challenge to those taking part? That may be valued by some, and found offputting by others. I am not sure a consensus is really possible; a Society should really cater for all those who find they want to contribute to it, and to some extent be led by that.
-
PS: the sort of survey you suggest is being carried out by Robert Amos and is mentioned on the AGS site.
-
Funny that this discussion arose so late !
I compete in the online show since the first edition and I still do :
1) Because it is great fun to do so :D and the only opportunity I get to come this close to competing in a show of any kind !
2) Because it's great to get some (most of the time constructive) comments from the judges on any of my entries ! Much appreciated !
3) I'm also in favour of garden plants being shown, but that's personal.
4) I also hate to see the same (most of the time exquisite) plant (photograph) appearing in sometimes 3 or 4 classes.
5) I would loooooove to see more people compete !
6) And no.... we shouldn't take it too seriously ! ;)
-
I now realize I should have tempered my last reply by acknowledging I am an overseas member and as such, do not have the insight of local members. In my haste, I chastised those who may be working to make the AGS a better organization. I would like to offer my apologies to those individuals and declare that my dealings with the AGS have always been satisfactory. Now if you are trying to duplicate the level of customer service Maggi provides, I’m afraid all others will fall short!
-
Actually I think it is the overseas members that make this forum so exciting! I find the same, sort of in reverse, on the NARGS forum because it is so interesting to compare experiences in such disparate places. I'm surprised that Maggi is not overcome with chocolate arriving from all over!
-
Doreen, I promise my comment or rather the example I gave re photos in two or more classes, wasn't directed at you personally. Far from it. The SH and Australian classes along with Iris, are the only ones I've looked at so far. I'll get to the others time permitting. But i've felt the same in previous shows. It was just that in those two classes - with fine plants/photos - I had hoped maybe Steve and Doug and Toolie, all great photograpghers and growers might also have had entries. I don't do natives very well myself, or perhaps would have had a go. Anyway, so long as the two or more rule stands, why not make use of it? I still hope it may be changed though.
-
I doubt if there is a person on earth, or at least one with any ability to converse and discuss and even argue about any subject at all, who is fully comfortable having his/her thoughts and comments regimented into strictly controlled channels. It is for that reason that I gave up on Trillium-L and it is for this reason that so many of us spend time here on this Forum. Yes, we digress into "off-topic" subjects. We do it all the time just as we do in our everyday conversations with friends and family and because we're not made to feel contrained or even uncomfortable about it, the whole Forum is a place for free exchange of ideas, as in all the posts above. With all due respect to the AGS version, many people just don't feel so happy there. It's as simple as that. I believe that virtually always, comments made here even if diametrically opposed to comments made by others, are made with courtesy and respect so no-one is damaged but on the AGS discussion thingy, I doubt if much of what we say here would be tolerated at all.
I live with someone who, once he opens his mouth to speak absolutely insists I don't open mine, whether to agree, disagree, or even show the slightest interest. I am always made to feel as if I'm on the end of a lecture. In the finish I usually say nothing at all even afterwards. It's as if I live in the presence of a long and frequently irrelevant non sequitur for which there just IS no answer and all conversational leads are killed.
Last night I spoke on the phone with a fellow member of the local Fritillaria and Small Bulb Group. We chattered and laughed away for long over an hour about numerous subjects, interrupting each other and thoroughly enjoying it all. It's that same friendly interchange we get here that lets us discuss what are sometimes serious or controversial subjects, as well as all the plant talk and personal banter. This same friendly feeling just doesn't exist on the AGS site. I'm sorry, AGS people, but it doesn't.
-
Ken, never let the fact that you're an overseas member stop you from having a perfectly legitimate opinion about anything here on the Forum, any subject. As Maggi pointed out elsewhere, up to half the members are from overseas (from Scotland) and the wellbeing of the club and society affect us too. After all, we too pay our subs. And just look at the number of posts under my name! :o :o :o Maybe the further away we are, the more mouthy we are? ;D
-
Doreen, I promise my comment or rather the example I gave re photos in two or more classes, wasn't directed at you personally. Far from it. The SH and Australian classes along with Iris, are the only ones I've looked at so far. I'll get to the others time permitting. But i've felt the same in previous shows. It was just that in those two classes - with fine plants/photos - I had hoped maybe Steve and Doug and Toolie, all great photograpghers and growers might also have had entries. I don't do natives very well myself, or perhaps would have had a go. Anyway, so long as the two or more rule stands, why not make use of it? I still hope it may be changed though.
That's OK, Lesley, but point taken, I'm watching my bed of Oxalis massoniana and will take its photo for the Southern Hemisphere class as soon as it puts its head above the parapet any time now! And if it's not up to scratch, I'll just photograph the Myosotis from two different angles for next year so it's not as obvious it's the same plant! ;D Now, what to substitute for my multiple entries of Androsace spinulifera ... ;)
Yes, would be good if you and the guys joined in and showcased some of our plants there too - and we don't have to stop at natives, we could aim for world domination (apart from dionysias maybe!)
-
I haven't put any quotations in here, Lesley, because I would be quoting everything you just said! Absolutely 'hit the nail on the head', I couldn't agree with you more. Spoken from the heart, ;) 8) 8)
-
I live with someone who, once he opens his mouth to speak absolutely insists I don't open mine, whether to agree, disagree, or even show the slightest interest. I am always made to feel as if I'm on the end of a lecture. In the finish I usually say nothing at all even afterwards. It's as if I live in the presence of a long and frequently irrelevant non sequitur for which there just IS no answer and all conversational leads are killed.
Spoken with love, irony or venom? :-* ::) :'(
-
Or all of the above. :-X
-
Many thanks to Martin Rogerson who, true to his word, brought this thread to
my attention. I must start by saying that I don't like forums; the written
word can be interpreted in a number of different ways by a number of
different people, without the chance to explain any misconceptions perceived
- apologies in advance.
As AGS Director of Shows its down to me, amongst other things, to try to
make the 'On-line' show as enjoyable and accessible as possible - emphasis
on enjoyable - the sad thing is that I now feel I need to defend certain
rulings of the show, along with the AGS as a society because of one or two
postings from forumists who would have done better to contact me directly to
discuss their mostly valid comments -. Some extremely sweeping statements,
especially those concerning peoples 'views' of the AGS are being made
(serial AGS knockers, take note) but again, I cannot counter those without
appearing aggressive on a shared forum site - without the 'heads-up' I too
would have been denied the basic 'right to reply' which seemed central to
one of the earlier postings.
Back to the main issue - One point which seems to stand out is the 'same
image in multiple classes', I know several people have said they don't like
it but why? No tangible reasons are given. Not only does it, in a totally
practical way, increases the number of images in the show ( I have to cater
for non-exhibitors and 'lurkers' as well) but why can't the best ' one pan
rock plant in flower', 'one pan bulbous plant', 'one pan from Australasia',
'one pan grown from seed' be the same plant? - It's the practical
physicality of staging these exhibits together at a 'real' show that stops
it from happening there. The other stand out comment is the need to see the
whole plant - this is just one of those rules that became necessary. It's
very difficult /impossible to judge the quality of an 'exhibit' with less
than the whole thing being viewable. We all have lobp-sided plants, those
that flower in clumps rather than evenly, dead foliage etc. by showing as
much of the plant as possible it makes it easier (not precise) to tell a
well grown plant from a photographically pleasing one (you still have the
chance to hide the 'dead-bit' at the back!). Lighting used to enhance the
effect may be visually pleasing but doesn't make a very easily grown plant
any more difficult to cultivate and that is what should be the basis of the
judgement.
Please feel free to contact me directly if you wish to discuss any of the
points above.
<mailto:Ray.drew@agsgroups.org> ray.drew@agsgroups.org
-
A warm welcome to you Ray: it is refreshing to have your authoritative input.
-
I have emailed Ray, mainly about the more then one class for a single image issue. It seems to me that the same image x 4 lessens the variety of the show even tho' it may enhance the numerical entries. Most of us take more than one image of a single plant so those could be used even if we can't find another suitable plant to photograph.
Good to have input from the Director of Shows, whose job surely is not an easy one.
-
Re-posting this here for Lesley
I can't remember where we were discussing the AGS Online show some weeks ago but for some reason I associate it with this thread. Maybe they were running at the same time. Perhaps you could redirect this Maggi, if you think it's worth it.
During the course of the discussion, Ray Drew who was involved with the Online show, suggested that anyone who wished could get in touch with him personally and he gave his email link for this purpose. I had the impression that he didn't like that the show was being discussed at all. I did email him and wrote of my concerns, mainly to do with the inclusion of a single photo used as an entry in several classes. I wrote clearly, calmly and very politely. I have had no reply or any acknowledgment.
-
Thanks Maggi.
-
Anything yet Lesley?
Not being nosey about the content at all, but would you let us know when you get an answer please?
-
Nothing yet Ron, and frankly, I don't expect an answer now. After all it was a full month ago I emailed. Same day as his Forum post.
-
Having just been told that this conversation is continuing I thought I had better make another posting. Lesley has left a number of open-ended statements littered around her posts which I now need to clear up. I did receive an email from Lesley and I apologies for not sending an acknowledgment but it didn't contain anything that required a response; I was tempted to copy/paste it here but life's too short! I was however intrigued by one of her her statements that 'surely the object is to encourage a greater VARIETY of images of DIFFERENT plants rather than more of the same' - I thought I set the objectives but this was one I was not aware of - obviously a greater number of images would be welcomed but, judging by the number of times it happens, a large number of people are happy with the rule as it stands (and see previous posting). As to 'not expecting an answer' - an answer to what? there was no question; perhaps Ronm knows as he seems keen to hear it. 'I had the impression that he didn't like that the show was being discussed at all'; where did this come from? - as an AGS member since 1961 (as you tell me) I merely thought you might have chosen a more direct route to discuss an AGS activity - why not contact me directly in the first place, or am I missing some point?
If this conversation continues, can someone let me know directly as I still have a full time job, a family life, plants to look after and a very busy AGS commitment with absolutely no disire to sit in front of a computer screen for more than I have to!
-
Ray, I asked Lesley to let me know when she got a response from you simply to understand if the lines of communication where still open ( per your invitation ) or not. There had been nothing said for a while and the question I had was had anything progressed, or did the staus quo remain? Either way, I didn't mind, just wondered. Should I have written to you about Lesleys e mail to you? I think not. So how else may I understand whats happening? Dont worry about answering me because now I really don't care.
-
Well if that's his usual sort of "friendly" response I'm glad he doesn't get here much ::)
-
I think Ray's comment a little earlier on, and now, about spending time on the Forum is a pertinent one and understandable, because as with any group of people who converse it takes time to get into the conversation and take others points - simple exchanges often are not very effective, especially when you are involved in running things. I still feel that the need to judge the online Gardens is a mistake, but that is because I would like to see more people actually describing their gardening on the AGS website, because I think that would be more interesting for non-members viewing the website, and also more welcoming. To see beautiful gardens and plants is remarkably stimulating, but gardens are actually 'made' and that is an ongoing process. As Peter Erskine has said, 'unfinished business'. But that is just my view, and I also appreciate the huge effort Ray and others put into the AGS which goes way beyond the Online Show. So I think the friendly response should work both ways. At the moment there seems a lack of coming together between the Alpine societies which seems to ignore the fact that we all grow plants and would like more people to do so.
-
Perhaps I somewhere missed what the Online Show's objectives actually are. Having apparently done that, I would have expected them to include encouraging AGS members to show their plants on a medium available to them, if they can't actually attend shows. Of course, rightly, it is available to ALL AGS members. No problem there. I'd be surprised if at an actual show, the secretaries are not delighted to have more and better entries each year, rather than the same few every time.
As to "an answer to what?" I was sufficiently naive to expect - as I would always myself give - a "thank you for your email" response; maybe even, since I brought up the subject, some REASON, other than boosting numbers, for allowing the same image to be entered in several classes.
Mr Drew says he himself sets the objectives for the Online Show. I'll leave him to it. I won't however, swear not to discuss this or any other plant matter on this Forum and that may or may not include AGS issues. According to Mr Drew there is NO issue and that is so if no discussion may take place. That is quite typical of the AGS attitude especially to those members who are not NAMES and have no public persona in the UK. Contacting Mr Drew directly in the first place? What would have been the point? I think it sad that member's ideas and concerns are not worth considering once an apparently final decision has been made by a single person.
-
Lesley - I do think it would be good if more people involved in running the AGS were to follow some of the discussions here, especially one I started earlier on how the Societies might develop (and I have said this on the AGS website). Considering the remarkable range of alpine growers who use the SRGC Forum I think Ray is mistaken to dismiss it in the way he did earlier, but partly that is because unless you have spent some time communicating with people on the Forum, just like attending and Showing plants, it is often not a place you feel comfortable in. I often feel uncomfortable in both! (As now). Ray at least has responded which has not been true of others involved in running the AGS. Personally I think the problem lies in the AGS website which is not one designed to enable free exchange, and this seems unlikely to change much in the future despite my best hopes.
-
Here we go again! I did apologies for not aknowledging your post Lesley (or do I need to say Mrs Cox on this friendly site - re. your last posting) and fully accept that it could have been seen as a slight to you - which it wasn't - what else do I need to do? When I said I set the objectives of the show, that was figurative (if I said 'we' set the objectives that leads to another potential set of questions). If you re-read your email to me you will see you were making your VARIETY and DIFFERENT point based on an incorrect assumption, others reading this posting will of course not be aware of this. Ronm - why didn't you simply ask 'are the lines of communication still open?' I wouldn't have been given the impression that there was a question to be answered that I didn't know about. Surely its obvious to most people that my point concerning the discussion taking place on the SRGC site was not to discourage and/or dismiss but merely to point out that if you want your points to be heard you would have done better to send them direct (without the AGS bashing along the way which tends to offend!) ... and Lesley - you are certainly a NAME in the AGS.
-
In fact I did, today, add a contribution to the Online Discussion area on the AGS site, not so much about the show but about the area itself. As soon as I pressed "Contribute" it vanished altogether and didn't appear in the discussion. So - enough from me.
-
Lesley, is it possible you were caught out by the 30 minute server time out?
-
Yes Martin, I think that's probably what happened. I thought, after looking at the previous posts about that very subject that it had been sorted so one could put a longer post but apparently not. I don't want to go on knocking the AGS site - the site itself is fine in my opinion, but the discussion area leaves a lot to be desired and it was about that I was posting. Having been brought up, so to speak, with this Forum, it's easy to find fault elsewhere. Maybe I'll go back later, but I'd put a lot of thought into what I said and to have it all vanish was disappointing.