Galanthus Gala 2013

[David King]

Home from the Gala and just a few early pictures taken before the lectures.

1.  Chas and Janet
2.  Emma Thick and Uli
3.  National Collection Holder Margeret MacLennan
4.  Brenda and John Foster
5.  Joe Sharman

more to come

[KentGardener]

2.  Emma Thick and friend

Brilliant - thanks David for pictures of the Gala.

That is Uli from Germany with Emma T.

[David King]

A few more mainly in the plant sale.

1.       Iris Ney making a presentation to Joe Sharman on behalf of the German visitors over the years.
2 & 3. This is where the initial stampede made for.  Glen Chantry of course.
4.       Sue Staines and the G C stall.
5.       Janet Lecore (in glasses) and husband John behind pluss Emma T in hat.

[JacquelineJ]

Wow, that looks like it was an exciting day!  Emma, I don't see anything in your hands 

[David King]

The last lot for today.

1.  Rudi Bauer stand and Brian Ellis pretending not to buy anything.  Uli in cap.
2.  Brian talking to Ben Potterton (top of head only - sorry).
3.  Matt Bishop's stand.
4.  Richard Hobbs.
5.  Richards stall with Rosie Steel (second right) contemplating.  Roger Norman's Ivycroft stand to rear.

Hopefully some on the other visitors have pictures of the gardens and will put some up.  Will process a few more of the Gala tomorrow.

[johnw]

Brian Ellis pretending not to buy anything.

He doesn't do that well does he?  I'll have to give him sone pointers.

johnw

[Brian Ellis]

He doesn't do that well does he?  I'll have to give him some pointers.

Meaning you normally get away with it

[Anthonyh]

 

Thanks for the pictures... It's causing serious Gala-envy here. I must make it next year.

[kentish_lass]

Really enjoying the photos David - it does not look too frenzied or were these taken after the main stampede?  Brian - hope you managed to get at least one special snowdrop 

I really, really want to go to a Gala now just for the experience.

[Brian Ellis]

Brian - hope you managed to get at least one special snowdrop 

Not the one I was hoping for but yes thanks Jennie.  As you were not there I did my best to emulate you with one or two bags

[MR GRUMPY]

Great photo's david.I wish i could have been there.Thankyou for a cyber view,almost like being there,but still having a full wallet.

[johnw]

Meaning you normally get away with it

You'll not wring a confession out of me.

[KentGardener]

....like being there,but still having a full wallet.

I couldn't agree more.   

[Brian Ellis]

still having a full wallet.

Lucky you    Funnily enough I was just thinking how many forumists might have been there that we didn't know, and Maggi reminded me of the American visitors too, I hope they all enjoyed the event.  It all seemed to happen so quickly and, apart from before the talks, we had little time to say hello to friends as we didn't go to the gardens afterwards. It was great to see Anne Wright again and everyone else.

[Alan_b]

I had a good time at the Gala but I agree with Brain (who I managed to wave at but not speak to) that the opportunities to socialise were a bit limited.  I found myself seated next to Anne Wright (without recognising her for a few minutes) so we were able to meet and I also spoke briefly to Emma's American friends whilst touring one of the gardens. I met lots of other forumist but probably missed a greater number.  Both the Dutch and the Germans managed to bring their usual coach parties to the event and Joe Sharman said there were 220 people there in total.

I really enjoyed all the lectures.  Hagen has an incredible stable of gorgeous snowdrops 'unknown' in the UK and presented a snowdrop classification system that struck me as a lot better than the Dutch one.  Matt Bishop gave an interesting talk on green snowdrops.  Did you know there is a magic tree around which many interesting snowdrops originated?  I didn't until yesterday.  And Joe Sharman gave a light-hearted talk on snowdrop memorabilia.  The sales area was a large hall with plenty of room and very little jostling.  Good buffet lunch and two good gardens to tour in the afternoon, conveniently close to each other.