Page 18 - Simply Veg 4 2022
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Gardeners World Live
FIONA SHENFIELD FNVS
Earlier this year, one of our major sponsors, Marshall’s seeds, asked if the NVS could support them in manning the stand at their potager-style garden at Gardeners World Live, Birmingham and were delighted that we provided volunteers to be on duty for the four days from Thurs 16th to Sun 19th June 2022 enhancing their fantastic garden by providing guidance and advice on growing veg.
The garden itself, titled “Food for Thought” was designed to inspire gardeners up and down the country to grow fruit and vegetables to save on household bills, and to explore how flowers can be grown alongside to make the best of even the smallest of spaces. The garden featured ornamental edibles like their new
Purple Sprouting Broccoli ‘Purplelicious’ and colourful pink Kale ‘Candy Crush,’ a biodiverse lawn, mustard hedges, green roofs filled with strawberries, a dipping pond plus companion planting. The garden was deservedly presented with a Platinum Award.
Day’s 1 & 2 saw our Chair Sandra Hall, with our other volunteers including John Negus, Nick Anderson, Phil Burgess, Pat Brown and Bernard Brown in what was two extremely hot sunny days. What a difference a day makes regarding the weather as Kelvin Mason, Fiona Shenfield and Ian Simpson manned the garden on Saturday and Sunday and the heaven’s opened for most of Saturday, but it did not dampen their spirits. The NVS volunteers answered numerous questions throughout
each day from the public to complement and support the Marshall’s team, who were delighted by our enthusiasm and knowledge. This was also reflected by Adam Frost of Gardener’s World who complemented NVS volunteers on their positive engagement with the public.
All in all, a positive time was had by all, and our volunteers were able to visit to our West Midland’s D.A. display stand who also had a great event gaining a silver award for their efforts, well done.
We would also like to welcome some new NVS members who joined our society after this weekend, thank you.
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