This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21599519
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Chelsea Flower Show: The small show with a big birthday | Chelsea Flower Show: The small show with a big birthday |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| It does not really make sense for one of the most prestigious flower shows in the world to be squeezed onto two football pitches by the River Thames. | It does not really make sense for one of the most prestigious flower shows in the world to be squeezed onto two football pitches by the River Thames. |
| But it has been for 100 years. | But it has been for 100 years. |
| And few involved in the Chelsea Flower Show, from exhibitors to locals and grounds people, would change it. | And few involved in the Chelsea Flower Show, from exhibitors to locals and grounds people, would change it. |
| From mid-June to late April each year, the South Grounds of a home for retired service people - the Royal Hospital Chelsea - are used by primary school groups, local residents walking their dogs and nannies with prams. | From mid-June to late April each year, the South Grounds of a home for retired service people - the Royal Hospital Chelsea - are used by primary school groups, local residents walking their dogs and nannies with prams. |
| But each May since 1913 when the Royal Horticultural Society first used the land to stage what was called The Great Spring Show, gardeners and show-goers have descended. | But each May since 1913 when the Royal Horticultural Society first used the land to stage what was called The Great Spring Show, gardeners and show-goers have descended. |
| Having had previous homes in Chiswick, Kensington and the Embankment, the show had one large tent with 244 exhibitors in 1913. | Having had previous homes in Chiswick, Kensington and the Embankment, the show had one large tent with 244 exhibitors in 1913. |
| This year's event, opening on Tuesday, will have more than 500 exhibitors and cover 11 acres (44,515 sq m). | This year's event, opening on Tuesday, will have more than 500 exhibitors and cover 11 acres (44,515 sq m). |
| A stone monument commemorating the Battle of Chillianwallah in India in 1849 stands uncompromisingly at over 20ft between the two football pitches. | A stone monument commemorating the Battle of Chillianwallah in India in 1849 stands uncompromisingly at over 20ft between the two football pitches. |
| It dictates the height of the Great Pavilion where nursery displays are found. | It dictates the height of the Great Pavilion where nursery displays are found. |
| 'Special effort' | 'Special effort' |
| One firm, Blackmore and Langdon's from Pensford, Somerset, displayed its delphiniums and begonias at the first show and has attended every year since. | One firm, Blackmore and Langdon's from Pensford, Somerset, displayed its delphiniums and begonias at the first show and has attended every year since. |
| Rosemary Langdon, whose first show was in 1958, said: "Everybody who grows puts on a very special effort for Chelsea. It's a world-wide window for people who grow plants. | Rosemary Langdon, whose first show was in 1958, said: "Everybody who grows puts on a very special effort for Chelsea. It's a world-wide window for people who grow plants. |
| "It's rather smaller than it could be but on the other hand that's the magic of it and it works. The Royal Hospital in the background is such a beautiful building and it's a lovely site." | "It's rather smaller than it could be but on the other hand that's the magic of it and it works. The Royal Hospital in the background is such a beautiful building and it's a lovely site." |
| It takes 800 people 33 days to build the show. | It takes 800 people 33 days to build the show. |
| John Langdon, whose grandfather Charles started the business, complains about the difficulties in loading and unloading each year. | John Langdon, whose grandfather Charles started the business, complains about the difficulties in loading and unloading each year. |
| He said: "It would be much easier if we had more room, but if you move it from Chelsea it ain't going to be Chelsea any more." | He said: "It would be much easier if we had more room, but if you move it from Chelsea it ain't going to be Chelsea any more." |
| In 1979 the Chelsea Flower Show became so crowded that the turnstiles had to be closed and people turned away. | In 1979 the Chelsea Flower Show became so crowded that the turnstiles had to be closed and people turned away. |
| In 1987 there was talk of moving the "dangerously overcrowded" event to somewhere else in London, or out of the capital altogether. | In 1987 there was talk of moving the "dangerously overcrowded" event to somewhere else in London, or out of the capital altogether. |
| Stephen Bennett, director of shows for the Royal Horticultural Society, has overseen 27 Chelsea Flower Shows. | Stephen Bennett, director of shows for the Royal Horticultural Society, has overseen 27 Chelsea Flower Shows. |
| He says it is the combination of the time of year when "gardeners are crawling out of hibernation", the central London location, the character of the Royal Hospital and the very high horticultural standards which make Chelsea special. | He says it is the combination of the time of year when "gardeners are crawling out of hibernation", the central London location, the character of the Royal Hospital and the very high horticultural standards which make Chelsea special. |
| But he describes his first show in 1986 as "scary". | But he describes his first show in 1986 as "scary". |
| "I was quite taken aback at how dangerously overcrowded it was. It was just ridiculous. | "I was quite taken aback at how dangerously overcrowded it was. It was just ridiculous. |
| "We had 250,000 people in four days in a smaller space than we now use for 160,000 people in five days. It was really, really hugely overcrowded." | "We had 250,000 people in four days in a smaller space than we now use for 160,000 people in five days. It was really, really hugely overcrowded." |
| A cap was placed on the number of visitors to the showground in 1988. | A cap was placed on the number of visitors to the showground in 1988. |
| He said there are few cities that would get away with running a show of such international impact on such a tiny site. | He said there are few cities that would get away with running a show of such international impact on such a tiny site. |
| Over the years, Ranelagh Gardens to the east of the South Grounds, has been used for catering, seating and a bandstand. | Over the years, Ranelagh Gardens to the east of the South Grounds, has been used for catering, seating and a bandstand. |
| Ron Willmore, grounds manager of the Royal Hospital, will see his 31st show this year. | Ron Willmore, grounds manager of the Royal Hospital, will see his 31st show this year. |
| He said: "In 1982 it was more like a vicarage tea party compared to today's more commercial way that it's run. | He said: "In 1982 it was more like a vicarage tea party compared to today's more commercial way that it's run. |
| "The biggest change is the development of the floral marquee and the show gardens becoming much larger." | "The biggest change is the development of the floral marquee and the show gardens becoming much larger." |
| Chelsea Physic Garden, the botanic garden in the same street as the Royal Hospital, predates the flower show by 240 years. | Chelsea Physic Garden, the botanic garden in the same street as the Royal Hospital, predates the flower show by 240 years. |
| Trainees from the garden get involved in the setting up of the show each year. | Trainees from the garden get involved in the setting up of the show each year. |
| Head gardener Nick Bailey said: "I've been lucky enough to go to other flower shows around the world and nothing else tops the quality and sophistication of what happens at Chelsea. | Head gardener Nick Bailey said: "I've been lucky enough to go to other flower shows around the world and nothing else tops the quality and sophistication of what happens at Chelsea. |
| "The fact that the show has spent the majority of its life on the same grounds is what makes it so special." | "The fact that the show has spent the majority of its life on the same grounds is what makes it so special." |
| Mr Bennett, who walks around the grounds before the setting up begins, secretly coveting currently unused areas of space, says he is confident there will be another 100 years of the Chelsea Flower Show. |