Page 40 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2021

BBC Gardeners’ World May 2021
It is true what they say. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
On 29 April 2021 I received a very nice email from Louise, an organiser from “BBC Gardeners’ World Live” offering the NVS a free stand at their new Spring Fair event at Beaulieu. Being the first time, the event has ever been held at Beaulieu, the offer was quite a privilege.
Naturally there were a few small issues. Firstly, Louise referenced
the great relationship between the NVS team and BBC Gardeners’ World Summer Fair at the NEC. Having visited that show and being in awe
at Mick Poultney and the NVS team’s very professional display promoting composting, I felt traumatised they might expect the same set up for Beaulieu. The other minor detail was that the show was in four weeks’ time.
Resisting the urge to run for the hills, I started to put out feelers to gauge the level of support. A few key people replied positively which gave me the confidence to commit. “Yes, Louise, we’d love to attend please. We are keen to make it work.”
A well-earned drink – Barbara, Phil, Ted, Nigel, Rebecca and Stan
very kindly gave me a planting list of potential varieties that would be used and that was the extent of info I had.
Afterwards there was a flurry of emails. The PR team wanted some copy about the allotment for the website. I explained all I had was
a planting list, but I put together something creative to entice visitors
We arranged to meet at Beaulieu and chat it through. There was a brief mention about an allotment that would be near our stand, perhaps the NVS could “adopt it” as the allotment team were unable to stay for the show. “Well, we
are the right people
to give advice about veg!” I said, “but what exactly is involved?” Communication went dark at that point.
without leading to disappointment given I knew nothing about the allotment. Next their social media team got
in touch. I was starting to feel the pressure, social media isn’t really my thing, but I drafted something and sent it off, then communication went dark. Until the request for photos of
the colourful veg I had
written about. I pinged a request to Suttons Seeds and luckily,
they were happy to provide images. I did wonder how bad it would be if the veg I’d featured failed to make it onto the allotment.
Next, in came an email from the delightful Bob from the Gardeners World Live team. “Terry and Jon are delighted that you and some of your volunteers are going to help build the allotment”. It was beginning to feel like a runaway train. I sent a distress call to Paul “The Farmer” Shadwell and Ros Holton, a gardener by profession. “HELP! Please can you
Nigel with the kids
help build the allotment”. Thankfully they said yes.
Before we knew it, it was Thursday, the day of the build. Because of Covid, we had been given a time slot of 9am to arrive to help control movement on site. So, Paul, Ros and I, the “Allotment team” arrived with tools in hand, sporting high vis as per health and safety regs for the build. Ted, Barbara and Nigel, the “NVS stand team” also arrived to set up the stand. One small problem, the marquee housing the NVS stand was packed full of lettuces. It had been raining solidly for the few days beforehand, but on the day of the build it was scorchio. Terry and Jon had commandeered the marquee to stop the lettuces flagging. It was 4pm before it was emptied and the NVS stand could be set up.
In the meantime, Ted, Barbara
and Nigel swelled the ranks of the Allotment Team. We all thoroughly enjoyed the unique experience and insight into building a professional display garden. We weren’t allowed to
Resisting the urge to run for the hills, I started to put out feelers to gauge the level of support
It was a lovely day at Beaulieu when I met up with Louise and the team, Bob and Lucy – “socially distanced
of course”. It was agreed that on the NVS stand we would sell plants, have a Seed Zone for kids to sow a bean
to take home and grow, and be on hand to give growing advice about the allotment. Professional growers Terry Porter and Jon Wheatley, who grow plants for Chelsea Flower Show, would be growing the veg for the allotment. They were coming to plant up the site and it would be useful if I could meet them and “have a chat about it”. Lucy
40 Simply Vegetables
BY ALISON CLARKE