Bumper return for Chelsea Flower Show – to be held over six days
When Chelsea Flower Show was forced to be abruptly cancelled this year due to the pandemic, saddened gardeners put down their trowels and would-be visitors put their best clothes back in the wardrobe.
Growers and fans of the show will be delighted to hear that next year, the show will go ahead - and be longer than ever before.
Organisers at the Royal Horticultural Society have revealed that they have made the event six days for the first time in its 108 year history, in order to enable social distancing.
Tickets will be like gold-dust this year, as despite the show operating over more days, numbers in total will be down to aid social distancing.
The show will see 140,000 visitors at the show over six days, compared to 168,500 over five days in 2019.
Making the scramble for a ticket even more high-stakes is the fact that most people with a ticket for 2020's show decided to transfer it for the 2021 event, meaning most of the places are already sold out.
A spokesperson explained: "Whilst there will be 140,000 visitors in total, we are extremely grateful that a large number of people decided to transfer their ticket from 2020 to 2021. This means only a limited number of tickets will be available to purchase this year from 26 October for RHS Members and to the public on 30 October. We encourage all those unable to get a ticket to next year’s show to tune in to the BBC coverage and consider buying tickets to either RHS Hampton Court or Tatton Park."
Inside the show, guests will be expected not to mingle with others outside their household.
Staff will be patrolling the grounds, making sure safe distancing takes place. Other rules in place include socially distanced queuing, crowd modelling and space changes to spread popular areas, and requirements to wear masks in indoor areas such as the Great Pavilion.
There are also plans for cashless transactions where possible, a flexible ticket exchange for those with symptoms, enhanced cleaning, and a reduction in closed seated restaurants.
This year, Chelsea fans were still able to experience the show online, with favourites including Monty Don presenting from their homes. The organisers said they have learned valuable lessons from this and are going to put some content online to supplement next year's show.
Many will wonder whether any Royal guests will be visiting; the Queen is a frequent attendee.
The RHS remained tight-lipped, but did not rule out a Royal appearance. The show, planned from Tuesday 18 May to Sunday 23 May, will still resemble the event from previous years, with its range of flower and plant displays and "stunning" show gardens.
While the reduction in numbers and the longer show may be popular with those who long for a less crowded event, the changes may not be permanent.
Helena Pettit, RHS director of shows, said: "Despite all the necessary precautions, Chelsea will still feel like the shows of old, with thousands of beautiful flowers and plants filling the displays in the Great Pavilion and the most stunning show gardens in the world.
"Of course some will welcome fewer people in the grounds and the additional day, but, whilst it's a benefit to visitors, it does impact on nurseries spending one more day away from their businesses and on the funds we can raise to support our vast charitable work, so I'm sure there'll be lots to evaluate after the show."
Sue Biggs, RHS director-general, said the charity has been planning and researching how to open the 2021 show safely and securely since April, and will be consulting with exhibitors and supporting them on the changes.
"As the world's most famous gardening event, RHS Chelsea is vital for the horticultural industry, as well as having a huge impact on inspiring people to garden and grow, which is so important for everyone's health and for the environment," she said.
She also said the charity would be ready to react to any Government advice next May, and would offer refunds on tickets if the show cannot go ahead.
