Chelsea FS - we need your help

We all experience challenges in life, never mind during the recent pandemic. Plants and gardening offer immense therapeutic relief, and this is Galina Boyse's concept for the OSGB's display at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in September.

The backdrop of the display will be a collection of short testimonies of the physical, mental and emotional benefits growing orchids brings us. For it to be as authentic and effective as possible, we'd like you to submit a statement of approximately 20 to 50 words in length. With your permission, we will include your first name only. Typed submissions are preferable, but scanned or legible handwritten ones are acceptable too.

Please email Galina at displays@osgb.org.uk or post to her address listed in the Journal. The deadline is 22 August.

Hampton Court and July update

Dear all,

Apologies for the delays publishing the June Table Show. We were all very busy and it has proven very difficult to get together and stay on top of the deadlines. We will most likely merge July and August into one display so please keep sending your plants as you do already.

As most of you probably know already we have attended the Hampton Court Garden Festival earlier this month with a display and team of volunteers spreading the word of the society and talking to the public all orchids.

You can view the highlights of the festival on BBC iPlayer HERE

You will be able to see our display in episode 3 (around 44:07 if you want to scroll to it directly)

Many thanks to Galina for representing us during the show.

I am also extending my congratulations to Galina and the whole build team, and to all of the OSGB members whose orchids formed part of the amazing Gold Medal winning display.

The gallery section has now been updated with pictures from this event. Please, if you were attending and you'd like to share some pictures you have taken, email them to me on website@osgb.org.uk and they will be added to the gallery.

You can jump directly to the Hampton Court Garden Festival gallery HERE

RHS Shows - plants and volunteers needed

All being well, the OSGB is exhibiting at two upcoming RHS shows – Hampton Court Garden Festival in July, and Chelsea Flower Show in September.

These will be our first public exhibits in almost two years, and an opportunity to celebrate our 70th anniversary.

No display is possible without members' orchids, so please consider lending your plants.

Email displays@osgb.org.uk without delay to make arrangements for Hampton Court Garden Festival. Collection and return of plants can be arranged depending on location and quantity

If you'd like to help at either of these shows, please email displays@osgb.org.uk

We will need people to man the display and help with the new members recruitment as well as helping with the build and breakdown. You dont have to be available for the whole duration of the show - any form of help will be appreciated.

Some restrictions may still be in place, so places are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hampton Court Garden Festival

Show 6–10 July, 10am to 7pm; 11 July 10am to 5pm

Build-up 2–4 July; Break-down 11 July

Chelsea Flower Show

Show 21–25 September, 8am to 8pm; 26 September 8am to 5:30pm

Build-up 16–19 September; Break-down 26 September

The support and participation of members is vital to the success of our displays, and we look forward to seeing you and your orchids again.