Page 47 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2024

Scone Palace Garden Fair
At the end of May/beginning of June,
the Scottish Branch attended the Scone Palace Garden Fair. This two-day
event, was once again blessed with good weather and it was great to have the support from many members and committee members across the course of the previous months growing plants to sell, attending on the initial day setting up, followed by two busy days at our NVS pagoda stand.
The teams across the event shared lots of great advice with members of the public and provided hints and tips on how to grow various veg types (not just what we had on display to sell). As Frank alluded
to in his Chair’s report, this year he gave a demonstration and talk each day on how to plant and grow various vegetables. Whilst, we did have a panic with our leek supplier, sadly having an unforeseen crop failure, we did manage to obtain a small amount to keep a few regulars happy. Next year, we certainly plan to be back to normal with our leek transplants.
A big thank you to everyone who travelled near and far to help out, making the event once more a great success. We had a good variety of high-quality plants, including strawberry plants and other interesting ones such as Aloe Vera plants (which went like hot cakes) and Hosta’s. Fred Stuart had also used his woodwork turning skills and had produced some dibbers for the table. Lastly, I have to mention Frank Taylor and his “antique” garden line, which, although it didn’t sell
on the day, not to be put off, he persevered and sold it on eBay the week after , so this also went towards the Branch funds. Jim Mercer arrived on the Sunday morning with
Scone general view
extra stock and when I saw so many plants, I did worry that we would be left with a lot. However, I’m happy to report we were only left with a few “Vic” plants at the end of the day which Jim Wiliams subsequently took along to the Malleny Garden Plant Fair a few weeks later as give aways.
On the Sunday the Scottish branch also donated some veg plants to a local RHS Community Outreach Team who do great work with groups to help build their skills.
On walking along the avenue of Pagoda’s, I met up with the reps from one of our sponsors, Unwin’s and thanked
them for their support of the NVS and offered to send people along to their stand if folks were looking for seeds. Likewise, the Unwin’s team sent visitors along to
our stand when they had veg growing questions. A good team effort. Towards the end of the event, we had a lovely surprise which was a visit from the Unwin’s reps who donated over 700 packets of veg seeds, of which we will be bringing along to the Annual Branch Seminar for members to pick from and take away. Thank-you
Busy NVS stand
Unwin’s, for your generosity.
Here’s to next year at Scone Palace
which will be on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st of May 2025.
Sunday morning stock
Frank with his garden line
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