Hi Tim, many thanks for the very kind comments about the photos. I believe that this is a very sensible and appealing new location for an AGS Show, that fits nicely into the remit of attracting new members from already established garden visitors and enthusiasts. The AGS show held recently in a garden centre/nursery in the north-east targeted the same demographic and I am certain that there are enormous garden centres across the land that could be utilised in the same way … venues with huge car parks, available space for show benches, etc., a constant supply of horticulturally aware visitors, restaurants, toilet facilities, lecture possibilities and most with owners more than ready to welcome the influx of alpine fanatics that these excellent shows attract.
Harlow Carr itself is a very beautiful venue, the show hall perhaps less so. The actual show itself was split between two medium sized rooms on the first floor that proved quite crowded on the day, while the sales tables were on the ground floor and attracted a constant flow of wallet-waving visitors. This generosity of trippers may have been due, in some part, to the glorious sunshine that appeared after lunch and the wonderful display of autumn colour in the gardens.