TO THE GARDEN SHOW 2023

ART, DESIGN, THE GARDEN & YOU! TIMES PAST – TIMES COVID – TIMES AHEAD

The Garden Show now celebrates almost three decades and has survived despite many and several elements thrown in the way including occasionally drastic weather and of course the Covid yeas. Twenty-nine years ago, Jane Sterck was asked to set up a garden show at Stansted Park in Hampshire to create a forum for start up businesses and to showcase the work of talented groups like The Princes Trust. She roped in Lizzie Dymock because of her involvement in gardening books and magazines. At that time gardening was visibly becoming more fashionable and accessible as people realised that you didn’t have to be that knowledgeable to make your garden look great and indeed the realisation that no garden was too small to grow. There was a thirst for good design, plants and garden products. We were also confident that it would be a good opportunity for local gardeners, designers and artists to exhibit; particularly those who couldn’t afford the larger, more commercial shows. There was a gap in the market that we were sure we could fill and fortunately we were proved right.

Our first show consisted of about 30 enthusiastic stands and an art exhibition. We immediately sensed that our visitors were impressed and liked the feel of the event. They enjoyed chatting to local plantsmen, finding a suitable garden designer or buying a piece of innovative sculpture. They approved of sourcing this in one location without the hassle of the bigger show. It was a success and we believed in what we were doing. And other well known gardening personalities thought so too. Since then, many gardeners and designers have been generous with their time and given great gardening talks and demonstrations.

The shows have extended their remit to highlight important issues such as the organic movement, environmental awareness and fair trade. We have very popular Environmental Garden Advisors solving gardening conundrums and a series of workshops and demonstrations on different aspects of the garden and home. We want the whole family to have a great day out at the Shows and find out more about gardening and other aspects of a good home life and well-being.

Every year we have continued to support various charities by giving them either free or subsidised exhibition space. We feel that we are making a difference and are really pleased that thousands of pounds have been raised for fabulous causes.

Jane’s daughter, Emily Clay, is now an integral and important part of the team as she took over marketing and PR when Lizzie sadly left us and this world a few years ago. Both Jane and Emily feel that the Show’s success has been very much to do with the support of our long suffering family and wonderful friends who are happy to take days off and morph into crew. Visitors tell us that they particularly enjoy this friendly atmosphere and we are ever grateful to all the visitors who have continued to support and follow the shows over many years. Our learning curve has been steep but worthwhile. The Garden Show has become a moveable feast and has been held at various locations in the south and will continue to thrive as it travels its own unique garden path at other venues.

The Shows have grown, their landscapes have changed but we are confident that the original essence has held true providing an affordable and good day out whilst talented individuals continue to gain visibility. We continue to celebrate all that is very good about the garden and life itself!