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Welcome to the 2nd edition of “Unearthed” the newsletter for Perennial volunteers in London & the South East. Firstly, I do hope that you enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and would like to extend our best wishes 2009. The primary purpose of this edition is to advise you of our plans for our Special and local events as well as shows in the coming season. You will find the complete list at the end of the newsletter. If you are able to help at one or more of the events please contact me, preferably by e mail with your availability and a preferred working time. All contact details are included at the end of the newsletter. Beatrix Potter Garden
Hampton Court Show 7th – 12th July 2009. Many of you offer to help us run the Rose Crèche and/or the cloakroom at the show. Although we have yet to receive confirmation from the RHS about our participation in the show this year, we will require around 120 volunteers during the week and I feel it wise to get your confirmations early when possible. We will run the same 3 timeslots as in previous years which are 10am to 1pm, 1pm to 4pm & 4pm to 7pm. Please state if you prefer cloakroom, Rose Crèche or would do either. As in previous years you will receive an exhibitor’s pass for the day of your volunteer session so you are free to enjoy a day at the show around your session. Please also confirm if you are able to do more than one session. I believe it right to give preference to those who have supported us before. The roster will be available after Easter. Cards for Good Causes Perennial are one a few charities supported nationally and the proceeds from the sale of the cards are a major source of income to us each year. Our sincere thanks go to all of you who gave your time this year to work in your local shop or church or purchase your own cards or who responded to our requests to help at the London venues. The C4GC co-ordinators really were impressed by the work ethic, commitment and reliability of the Perennial volunteers. I also don’t want to forget those who
attend local fairs and events not only at Christmas but through the year selling goods to raise funds on our behalf. If you are interested in attending a local fete/fair/flower show etc and running a small gift stall for Perennial please let me know. Hampton Court 2008
Growers Trade Show at Sandown Park each November (15th year in 2008) They kindly offered us a trade stand & dispensation to sell our Christmas cards & gifts as well as providing information. Each nursery at the showed agreed to provide our information to staff in there wage packets meaning about 1500 more trade workers who now know about our work & services. E Mail addresses. More than 55% of you are reading this newsletter from our website having received an e mail with a link in from us. This is not only better for the environment but saves you clutter and us money. If you haven’t already please e mail me and get your copy electronically. Perennial Raffle 2009 All of you who attend our Shows & Events this year will not be able to miss that we have a Perennial Raffle for 2009. A range of amazing prizes are up for grabs with including lunch at Raymond Blanc’s restaurant. Tickets available at £1
News Update: Autumn/Winter 2008 Out & About With the show season finished I didn’t anticipate attending many events throughout autumn; however it didn’t work out quite like that! – Firstly, we attended the prestigious Horticulture Week Awards Ceremony in London. The evening was hosted by Paul Ross. The highlight was the presentation of the prestigious Professional Gardener of the Year by our Trustee Jim Buttress VMH and I’m delighted to say was won by Trevor Nicholson, Head Gardener at Harewood House. A good, if a little late night was enjoyed by all. During November I was invited to attend the HEA (Horticultural Exhibitors Association), AGM in Bury St Edmunds. Pretty much every nursery with a stand you see at the major shows will be a member and they are very supportive of our work. I really enjoyed the garden quiz that I have a copy of and might well test you out with in a quiet moment in the future! I would also like to mention Monro South who hold Southern
Thank you for your continued support
GRBS Sale Catalogue Did you know you can also shop online, safely & securely with Perennial? Just visit the website and click on the shopping icon. Don’t forget to check our Regional page whilst you’re there for up to the minute information.
join via the website or by calling 0845 676 0636 for more details. Shows & Events 2009 We attend a variety of events throughout the gardening season, at each event our priorities are fundraising, this enables us to continue helping horticulturists in need, and marketing to raise awareness of us and the services we can provide. Our main events are classified as National, Regional & Special. Special Events are bespoke days organised by Perennial usually at a private garden. We require help with food & drink serving, set up and clear up. National Shows such as RHS Hampton Court where we provide a rose crèche service and cloakroom/bag storage facilities for the shows visitors and over 120 volunteers through the week, and Regional Shows & Events Most shows and events will include a sales stall for our range of Gifts, Gardening accessories, books and novelties. We also provide information about Perennial and our work, sell raffle tickets and generally encourage people to support us. We couldn’t run this program without your support, so please do tell me your availability for one or more (your choice) shows so that I can plan the days. We are often fortunate to have more offers than work so please await confirmation that you are needed.
Contact Details
Perennial’s Supporter Schemes We appreciate the time and efforts that you provide freely to us each year and couldn’t deliver the range and variety of activities we do without you continued commitment. However, I am aware from talking to many of you throughout last year that many don’t know about our Supporters Schemes. They are vital to our fundraising and provide regularity to our income. We run a scheme for individuals for less than 50p a week. You will receive “Garden Post” our national newsletter, and a enjoy FREE entrance to Perennial’s York Gate Garden near Leeds. One of the main incentives is that you receive early notification of all Special Events and an advanced time period for booking. We also run a corporate supporter scheme. Business supporters are also included on a “Roll of Honour” on our website. You can
Nigel Palmer Perennial 115/117 Kingston Road Leatherhead Surrey KT22 7SU Tel: 01372 384036 Mobile: 07747 804662. E Mail: npalmer@perennial.org.uk www.perennial.org.uk
Thank you for your continued support
PERENNIAL SHOWS & EVENTS 2009 April Sat/Sun 25 & 26 the Garden Show Firle Place Nr Lewes Sussex th Sun 26 Perennial - Local Food & Plant Fair. Ramster Gardens Chiddingfold Surrey May Sat 2 Surrey Heath Show. Frimley Green Surrey. We will be running a GQT (Gardeners question time) “Panellists required” Good practical knowledge/experience. No formal qualifications required. Sun 10 Lullingstone Plant Fair. Nr Eynsford Kent Tue/Sat 19 -23 RHS Chelsea *Not organised by me. A list is kept of those who express an interest Sat/Mon 23-25 Kent Garden Show Detling Nr Maidstone June 3 Perennial Special Event: Houghton Lodge Stockbridge Hampshire. Fri-Sun 5-7 June the Garden Show Stansted Park Nr Portsmouth Hampshire Thu-Sat 11-14 the South of England Show Ardingly Sussex Sat/Sun 13-14 June. London Open Squares Weekend. Activities TBC Sat/Sun 20-21 the Garden Event West Dean Gardens Chichester W Sussex Weds 24 Perennial Special Event: Gardens of Grosvenor Estate London Sat/Sun 27-28 Ham House (NT) Plant & Food Fair July 1 Perennial Special Event: Hever Castle Nr Edenbridge Kent Tues – Sun 7-12 RHS Hampton Court Flower Show: Rose Crèche & Cloakroom/Bag storage. See newsletter for more information Wed 8 Woking Nurseries Trade Show Surrey Sat/Sun 19-20 Great Gardening Show Loseley Surrey & A Country Affair Camden London Sun 26 Perennial Special Event: City of London Gardens Tue – Thurs 28-30 New Forest & Hampshire County Show. New Forest. August Sun 2
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The Maze Garden Sidlesham. Sussex Perennial Open day
September Sat/Sun 5-6 Totally Tomato Show West Dean Gardens Nr Chichester Sussex Tue/Thurs 8-10 IOG Saltex Trade Fair Windsor Racecourse Berkshire Sat/Sun 12-13 The Autumn Garden Show Detling Maidstone Kent We are planning a number of shows and events for Christmas 09. More details will follow in our Autumn newsletter If you have a Christmas fair at work or in your town/village or area that you/we could attend please do let me know.
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Thank you for your continued support