Eighth International Rock Garden Conference, 2011

[ranunculus]

The future of alpine photography is in very safe hands when four experts such as these can be assembled.

HARRY JANS
DOUG JOYCE
JON EVANS
PETER MAGUIRE

[angie]

Cliff love that picture of Peter. I felt like a big ball after I left the conference. I suppose after having all those big portions of puddings it had to show, wasn't that bread and butter pudding a dream 

Angie

[Peter Maguire]

Similarly, large amounts of liquid refreshment can be consumed by delegates, but I feel that I must warn dear Peter Maguire of the dangers of over consumption!!!
Jon Evans has also spotted the danger!

As they would say in Lancashire - 'By 'eck I was thirsty'  

[Diane Clement]

Having now had a day to recover (and a couple of nights sleep!), I wanted to say how much fun it all was.
I greatly enjoyed the lectures, the workshops, the show and all the informal chats and get togethers with old and new friends.  The venue and food were excellent and the whole conference was a fantastic occasion.

I feel that the Conference is a very important core activity of our societies as it brings together some of the greatest names in the Society to share their expertise and knowledge, not only in the lecture theatre and workshops, but also in less formal gatherings. I was delighted by the sight of four giants of the alpine scene rarely seen together having a chat in the show hall on Saturday: Erich Pasche, Henrik Zetterlund, Tony Hall and Harry Jans.  Sadly, I had left my camera at home  

I was particularly bowled over by the display by Jon Evans of “Ten years of photographing alpines” which contained hundreds of pristine photos, mounted and displayed on several boards, showing a range of Jon’s work, from formal portraits to his imaginative nurseryland interpretations. There was a series of “before” and “after” pictures showing how to edit pictures in various ways. There was also detailed commentary displayed on how Jon achieves his results, which he had kindly printed out as a series of handouts.

A huge amount of work went into the organisation and thanks is due to Christine McGregor and all the staff at Pershore, the organising committee (north and south of Hadrian's wall!), local group members and all the other volunteers that made it all possible. Here’s looking forward to 2021.

[Peter Maguire]

Breaking news.....

I have sacked my wardrobe assistant. I had previously asked before the conference that all important question - "does my bum look big in this?"   

[Maggi Young]

I was particularly bowled over by the display by Jon Evans of “Ten years of photographing alpines” which contained hundreds of pristine photos, mounted and displayed on several boards, showing a range of Jon’s work, from formal portraits to his imaginative nurseryland interpretations. There was a series of “before” and “after” pictures showing how to edit pictures in various ways. There was also detailed commentary displayed on how Jon achieves his results, which he had kindly printed out as a series of handouts.

Hear hear! Diane, I too thought Jon's displays a  real triumph. It was impossible to capture the sheer scope of them, even from a physical standpoint, in any photo so you'll have to take our word!

There were lots of members of the local AGS Group who beavered away all weekend with Christine and Kim to help us all know what was going on and sincere thanks to them all... in their smart purple Conference polo shirts, for their help.

It was tricky to note people's names, because the name tags we had kept turning back to front and unless folks had added their names to the reverse it was a question of grabbing the badge and turning it over to see the names... and it proved impossible to do that hundreds of times over the weekend! I now wish I had done so for the core helpers from the Notts Group so they could get a name check here.... but thanks to them all, anyway! 

[Maggi Young]

AGS Members will know that the Editor of 'the Alpine Garden',  Chris ("Kit") Grey-Wilson, has  now retired from that post. The new editor, John Fitzpatrick, a Scot, delivered a fun "leavers' page" to Kit as a farewell gift.... see the tabloid style spoof here :
http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/pdf_files/news/KitsOffWeb.pdf 

[alpines]

That is ABSOLUTELY brilliant !!!!!.....and so funny. Made my day. Trust the Scots to deliver humor at its very best.

[ian mcenery]

Just like to add my comments. It was my first conference and I didn't know what to expect and it exceeded my expectations. Had a great time met lots of lovely people (gardeners usually are) and learned a lot. It was also nice to put faces and personalities to all you Forumists. My thanks go to all those who made such a successful conference but  the overall result was not just the organisation it was in the words of the Music Hall MC "Chiefly yourselves"

[ichristie]

Many congratulations to all those who worked so hard to organise a great conference. I was lucky enough to be allowed to judge the flower show a real good selection of plants so I will post some pictures from the show, cheers Ian the Christie kind

[Lesley Cox]

Love John Fitzpatrick's farewell paper. Brilliant, as Alan says and with such telling photos. May we hope for just a little of this style of writing in John's new job?

So pleased the Conference went well for everyone. Of course it was always going to, in spite of what seemed like assorted glitches along the way with late information etc. It seems amazing that something which took the best part of 10 years, to organise and certainly hyperactivity in the last months and weeks, is now all over in just a very few days. Many attenders and the organisers too, will have a sense of anticlimax I suppose. 

Glad you all had a great time!

[Jozef Lemmens]

Thank you All for the wonderful time (before, during and after the conference)!!!

[Ragged Robin]

This time a week ago I was in 7th heaven at the 'Alpine Without Frontiers' conference surrounded by Alpine enthusiasts and fascinating plants so expertly grown - what an amazing event it was in every aspect.  The lectures were so interesting and varied and I felt drawn into a world of exceptional plantsmen and plantswomen, plant hunting, geographical and geological miracles and historical and cultural eyeopeners, topped off with the haute cuisine of photography - no wonder they say plants look good enough to eat!  The beautifully illustrated book containing these treasures is a wonderful reminder to mull through and recapture the atmosphere.

All the above, one could say, was outstanding enough in itself but without our wonderful Forum I would not have had the chance to meet and get to know some of the great SRGC Forum Members who contribute so much to the Alpine experience through their comments and postings and that led to my booking for the Conference in the first place. You have been an inspiration to me and, I'm sure, many others....the happy group photo says it all.

So I want to thank everyone, especially Maggi and Ian who helped us circulate and meet amongst the other Members, and particularly Ian for his vibrant lecture that reminded me of my roots of falling in love with plants in Nature where they reign supreme and plants in the garden where they give so much pleasure; creating a rich tapestry around us in everyday life.

[astragalus]

A wonderful experience and one so varied it will take some time to digest it all.  The pre-conference tour was a melange of wonderful and very diverse gardens.  I took about 600 pictures which have already been downloaded and I'm so glad to have them because memories have a way of mixing up plants and gardens.  The pictures at the Conference were superb.  It took several days to see them all because there was always a little crowd around them.  They made for a wonderful display.  Thanks to all who put in so much time and effort to make this Conference a success.  It was especially nice to meet so many Forumists, starting with the pre-tour.  I really felt I was meeting people I already knew.  And now we all have the photo of part of the group of Forumists who were there.  Thanks, Ian and Maggie, for arranging that.

[Michael J Campbell]

Look who dropped in today on his way home from the conference,he is taking the long way home.