Eighth International Rock Garden Conference, 2011

[Maggi Young]

Okay, more information about booking for the Conference for partners wishing to accompany their Gardening "halves" but not wishing to attend the talks.

 I have just spoken to Kim Matthews  at the AGS HQ at Pershore who tells me that for those bookings all one needs to do is to book using the "additional nights" option in the booking process .... where the costs are
Bed & Breakfast - £52

Bed, Breakfast & Dinner - £70

Alternatively, phone Kim on 01386 554790 and explain your needs to her and she is able to take your booking and card payment over the phone.

[Maggi Young]

 There will surely be plenty others coming to support their partners but who don't want to attend all the talks.... I know when the Conference was in Edibnurgh  in 2001 there was a section on the booking form for that..... it is just one of the rather odd ommissions for/booking options for the AGS booking process.
I do think it is a good idea to book via Kim.... my booking for my attendance, plus an extra night's accomodation on the Sunday for Ian and myself was not picked up properly from the online  booking system... the extra night for two was only picked up as for one.... and I had no opportunity to add requests/explanations. Kim says that does exist but I think a direct booking is easier in the long run.

[Maggi Young]

It is not clear from my conversations with Kim whether or not full payment is required at time of booking for an accompanying partner, or if only the  deposit is needed now , with the balance to be paid by January 2011, as for the extra nights before or after the event.

 Here is an amended booking form with extra nights details added.... you'll need to add those amounts in to the toals  being piad, of course, and also make a note to draw attention to them in the special instructions sections.

This at least will let  you know the info you need if you phone to make a booking. 

 2011extra nights.pdf (27.63 kB - downloaded 212 times.)
 

[fermi de Sousa]

Many of us from Australia and NZ who are coming for the Conference have booked for the 2nd pre-conference tour. It now appears it's the ONLY tour as the low booking numbers has caused the organisers to cancel the others! 
A few of us would still like to come to Scotland and see Cyril and Ian C's and Maggi & Ian's gardens! Can the Forum help us?
 
cheers
fermi

[J.B.Wyllie]

Watch this space Ian Christie is putting together something that should suit you.

See you all next April

Jean

[astragalus]

Maggi, does one need to sign up in advance for workshops at the Conference?  Is there a final list of workshops available?
Thanks.

[Maggi Young]

I imagine that sign-up for the workshops will take place actually at the event.

 As for the final line-up of the workshops, that is more information that has not been passed on to us - sorry not to be of more help, Anne.
Try Pershore for an answer.....  
 
email:ags@alpinegardensociety.net

Christine McGregor, Society Director Tel:0044 (0)1386 554790

[Maggi Young]

Dear Friends, it is hoped that all the gardens listed in the tours which the AGS have had to cancel, and more,  will be available to be visited by Members on a private basis after the conference.

Naturally, with the sudden announcement from Pershore of this change we must now contact the garden owners and gain their agreement to this new arrangement.

Instead of fully organised tours there will be the opportunity for Members to make their own way to visit available gardens.
The private gardens will only be open for visits by SRGC Members to comply with Insurance conditions.
Ian Christie will be at helm for this venture but he will be out of the UK for some weeks in the near future. Please contact me via info AT SRGC.org uk to register your interest in visiting the Scottish Gardens.

There will be a West coast list, which  Mike and Sue Thornley will liase with and an East coast version, with Ian 'the Christie Kind'  in charge.  

There are SRGC Folks happy to welcome visitors to our gardens after the Conference and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible!  

Details will be shown here when finalised :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6088.0

[ichristie]

Hello to all our friends throughout the world who will come to the conference. I visited Maggie and Ian young today to discuss the SRGC or Scottish tours, I realise that all the pieces are not yet in place but I am totally confident that Maggie is setting up something really special for all those who wish to make informal visits  to Scotland. I will be away visiting our daughter in Autralia then to New Zealand away for all November Maggie is in charge whilst I am away in fact Maggie will continue to be part of our team for these tours. We are organising as many private SRGC members gardens as possible  plus the bigger garden that will also be of interest. We the SRGC invite you all to come where you will have first class hospitality excellent plants great chat/ discussions, disagreements a mutual love of plants with the very best that Scotland has to offer maybe even a wee dram ( for non drivers) Please watch this space for further informastion from Maggie, cheers Ian the Christie kind.

[PeterT]

Dear Friends, it is hoped that all the gardens listed in the tours which the AGS have had to cancel, and more,  will be available to be visited by Members on a private basis after the conference.

Naturally, with the sudden announcement from Pershore of this change we must now contact the garden owners and gain their agreement to this new arrangement.

Instead of fully organised tours there will be the opportunity for Members to make their own way to visit available gardens.
The private gardens will only be open for visits by SRGC Members to comply with Insurance conditions.
Ian Christie will be at helm for this venture but he will be out of the UK for some weeks in the near future. Please contact me via info AT SRGC.org uk to register your interest in visiting the Scottish Gardens.

There will be a West coast list, which  Mike and Sue Thronley will liase with and an East coast version, with Ian 'the Christie Kind'  in charge.  

There are SRGC Folks happy to welcome visitors to our gardens after the Conference and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible!  

Details will be shown here when finalised :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6088.0

(Attachment Link)

Maggie, Do you mean Mike and Sue Thornley of Glenarn in Rhu? - the old Gibsons Rhododendron garden.

[Maggi Young]

Yes, Peter, indeed I do.... a typo, which I will now correct, thanks.

 Glenarn is a great place, as I am sure you know,  and the Thornleys have worked very hard in the garden ....as well as being thoroughly nice people. It will be a pleasure in every way for folks to visit there.

[PeterT]

If you are lucky the magnolia campbelliis will be in flower 

[Maggi Young]

There will also be a limited number of free places for students.  Application forms will be available shortly either on the AGS website or from AGS Centre.  The deadline for applications will be mid September....change of deadline : now forms must be received at Pershore by  30th November 2010 .
Send forms to :Christine McGregor (Society Director)
Alpine Garden Society
AGS Centre
Pershore
Worcestershire
WR10 3JP

A reminder to any students of horticulture that the closing date for receipt of applications for the assited Sturdent places at the Alpines 2011 conference is 30th November.... that's fast approaching!!
Get your applications in quickly, Folks!

 Stu-AssistedPlaceAppForm-2011.pdf (76.19 kB - downloaded 112 times.)

[Calvin Becker]

Hi all

I am lucky enough to be attending the conference due a successful application for assisted placement. I am wondering if any forum members could help me out with travel details?

I will be flying out from Johannesburg, South Africa to London. If I land at Heathrow, is it possible to catch a bus or train from the airport to Nottingham or would I have to go in to central London and travel from there? How long would a journey from London to Nottingham take? Would getting to the conference be easier if I landed at Stansted airport?

Looking forward to meeting all the you forumists!

[Maggi Young]

It is great that you will be attending the Conference, Calvin... we look forward to seeing you there.
I am sure that some of the English Forumists will be better placed than I to suggest the easiest travel plans for you.....