Page 57 - ALG Issue 4 2022

Wales
All counties of Wales
REPRESENTATIVE
Judith Hill 07724993310 or 02920 758080 jfhill.nas@gmail.com
MENTOR
Peter Ryan
Wales
0845 564 1881 pryan.nas@gmail.com
NAS visit Royal Welsh Show, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells
On the hottest day ever recorded
in the UK, members of the National Allotments Wales set up their stand at the Royal Welsh Show, one of the biggest Agricultural shows in Wales, from 18th - 21st July.
This was a very exciting venture as
it was the first time the NAS Wales Committee had organised or attended any show, let alone the Royal Welsh,
so were understandably nervous. However, there was no need to be as everything went really well. Our aim was to promote the National Allotment Society, and we certainly did! The stand was situated in the entrance hall of the Horticultural Marquee and well manned by various volunteers on a rota system from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and who gave advice and help to the many passing visitors on a variety of allotment related queries. These ranged from: “How do I grow sweetcorn? “and “What’s wrong with my chicken?” to “What do I do about bindweed?”. And some non-allotment queries: “Where’s the nearest toilet?” and “Where’s the flower tent?” etc!
We are so grateful to all the volunteers involved for giving up their time and working so hard.
There were a variety of visitors from all walks of life: the general public, families, keen vegetable and fruit growers and beekeepers. Quite a few people left with an NAS membership application form and were offered a 10% membership discount if they signed up during and within a period after the show. We
even had a visit from Derek Brockway, a Welsh broadcaster and presenter on ‘Weatherman Walking’, who was very impressed with our efforts. Princess Anne also made an appearance, but we didn’t manage to grab her attention!
We were really grateful for all the
help we received from the National Allotment Society Head Office in Corby, who supplied all the leaflets, uniform and props. Liz Bunting attended for two days of the show and provided much appreciated advice. Also, the Royal Welsh organisers were excellent in providing all the information we
as amateurs needed for numerous arrangements.
Princess Anne also made an appearance, but we didn’t manage to grab her attention!
At the end of the week, despite being hot and exhausted, everyone agreed that it had been a very worthwhile and successful exercise. We had learnt so much about setting up a stand for a
big show and were thrilled to learn that we would be welcome again next year. Plans are already underway for a bigger and better display – possibly a mini allotment set up?
Carolyn Llewellyn, Secretary, National Allotment Society Wales
Welcome to our new members...
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Allotment and Leisure Gardener 57