News from the gardening world
MALVERN SHOWS THE WAY
Gardeners rejoice – a twoday plant and garden event will take place in September! And in a year of relentless cancellations it’ll be the only live gardening fixture of scale being staged anywhere this year.
The Malvern Plant & Garden Fair at the Three Counties Showground, Worcestershire, will take the form of a plant and bulb market, with additional attractions spanning a ‘Bring Your Picnic’ open air theatre, with demonstrations from a number of garden personalities, such as flower arranger Jonathan Moseley, along with garden sundries, food and music.
The stand-alone venture replaces the cancelled Malvern Autumn Flower Show, normally run in association with the RHS, and also location for the Canna UK Giant Vegetable Championship, now being run as regional events.
“At the beginning of the year I wasn’t sure we’d have any event at all, but when the government allowed outdoor markets we started thinking, said Diana Walton, Head of Shows at the Three Counties Showground. “We have such a loyal community of supporters, nurseries and the public, who we wanted to support, so started planning and then four weeks ago decided we’d go for it! We’ve already had interest from 60 nurseries and 40 sundries stands.” Three Counties were awarded the VisitEngland We're Good to Go industry charter mark, which confirms the Worcestershire showground meets the Government and public health guidance on
Covid-19 and has required health and safety processes in place.
“We’ve overhauled the parking and will have appropriate signage and one-way systems in place. With 100 acres, people will be able to browse plants with confidence. On the first morning we’re having an early access ticket for those who can’t wait to view and buy plants from 40 RHS award-winning nurseries in the open air flower show. We hope to welcome around 10,000 visitors over the two days.”
The Malvern Plant & Garden Fair will take place on September 12 and 13. For more information visit www.threecounties.co.uk.
Cornwall’s Eden Project will shed around 40 per cent of its workforce, the world-famous eco-attraction has announced. A shortfall of £7 million caused by prolonged closure and continued restrictions on visitor numbers due to Covid-19 has resulted in the redundancy of 200-220 full and part-time staff in a major restructure of operations.
“As our income shrank to nothing for many weeks, we've had to remain resilient and constantly adapt. Sadly, the economic shock caused by the pandemic means we cannot maintain current staffing levels,” said Executive Director David Harland. “We pay tribute to everyone for the way in which they have responded to the most difficult and challenging year we have ever had and ensured that Eden is safe and ready to welcome visitors back.”
Some of those made redundant may be re-employed next spring if Eden survives on reduced income through the autumn and winter. Ongoing projects in the UK and overseas overseen by Eden Project International, including schemes in Morecambe, Lancashire and Derry Bay Northern Ireland are to continue, as they are seen as vital in helping the financial recovery of the Cornwall headquarters. l Visit www.edenproject.com.