New Galanthus National Collection

[mark smyth]

Has this been announced to the group? Sorry if I missed it.

Well done Steve.

[Maggi Young]

No idea  what you are talking about Mark..... will make a few assumptions..... Steve Owen has been awarded a National Collection Status for his snowies???

If that's the case then congratulaions, Steve. Certainly the Forum provides you a fine platform to share your photos with a wide audience, which may save hoards of folks wanting to trample your garden day in and day out!  

[steve owen]

Thanks Mark and Maggie. Not sure what I'm letting myself in for, also acutely aware that there are many galanthophiles (whether contributors to SRGC or not) who know far more about snowdrops than I and have been growing them for far longer.  This is really my wife's fault; a few years back she inveigled me into visiting Colesbourne, and at the end of our visit I walked by a table with snowdrops for sale. I saw George Elwes at £20 and said to no-one in particular "Who on earth would pay £20 for a single snowdrop?"  Silly Q and an even sillier answer.

I'm planning to do an Open Day in late January or February (a bit of being a NCH that I take seriously) but need to plan around the main 2012 snowdrop events.

[mark smyth]

I'm planning to do an Open Day in late January or February (a bit of being a NCH that I take seriously) but need to plan around the main 2012 snowdrop events.

What's your nearest airport?

[Maggi Young]

I'm sure you'll do fine Steve and get more enjoymenmt from your 'drops as a result of being a NCH.

I understand about the open days being an important part of the whole thing.... can't really see the point in trying to have a NC if you're not willing to do that..... otherwise you would just be another private collector!

Hope it all proves a lot of fun!

[steve owen]

What's your nearest airport?
[/quote]

Luton, or Birmingham/Coventry.

[johnw]

Would someone tell me about the significance of a National Collection?  I have never found out exactly what the requirements are to be designated a holder of a National Collection or the obligations once so designated.  Is it an onerous process?  And I assume one must hold a certain percentage of material for the specific genus.  Also there seems to be more than one holder for certain genera.

Steve  - many of us can blame Colesbourne for fueling the fires.   Congrats.

johnw - +23c after a sultry night.



   

[Brian Ellis]

Well done Steve, is this provisional or full?

[Hagen Engelmann]

I`m too far, but my congratulations too, Steve. There are a few things from Germany every good collection in GB should have too.

[steve owen]

John
As good a starting point as any is the website http://www.nccpg.com/National-Collections/How-to-Start-a-Collection.aspx. Lots of information there, dealing with the why and how etc. Essentially one aims to act as a resource-holder for a genus (so yes, one needs to grow a significant percentage of the known varieties) and to contribute to the body of knowledege about the genus. If there are other NCHs, I guess it helps if you can offer a differentiated growing situation to that of others; so for example, there's no leafy woodland loam to be found here.

Brian, its a "full" status.

Hagen, thanks for the good wishes and it would be good to contribute to England-Deutschland cultural exchanges. Playing my violin in Wuppertal more than 50 years ago was my last chance to do that!
Steve

[Hagen Engelmann]

Steve, Wuppertal was only the begin

[chasw]

Only just seen this,

Well done Steve

[freddyvl]

Congratulations Steve, we have seen on this Forum that you have a beautiful and extensive collection with many goodies. Now you have to play the first 'snowdrop'fiddle (violin)! One day ... we hope to come along !

[Martin Baxendale]

Good luck, Steve.

[Martin Baxendale]

And let's hope the narcissus fly don't get to hear about it