Inspiration – and hello again!

Come to the Malvern Autumn Show for a day packed with enjoyment

The gap in posting has been occasioned by my brief travels with my husband around Brittany, leading me yet again to realise that inspiration is all around you no matter where you are. And nowhere more so than at the Malvern Showground and the imminent Malvern Autumn Show (Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September).

A nostalgic corner

So much going on – and for me I just love the aspects of nostalgia that pop up around the Show, in celebration of the harvest, autumn gardens – or gardens all year round for that matter, and the opportunity to buy your own part of it. I know what I will be seeking in two weeks’ time and am sure to find what I am looking for. For I have yet to return disappointed over the years I have been visiting, and never know exactly what will take my fancy. Which is of course half the fun.

Plenty of ideas here for a formal garden

Inspiration lies in the Show gardens as well as exhibitors’ stalls. It may not be the garden itself but the little tweaks and juxtaposition of plants and ‘furnishings’ that a clever designer offers. Thinking of how a design will look on different planes, remembering that a garden is for twelve months enjoyment and not just one day. They need to work, and most do.

Decorative kale adds drama

Clever, too, are those experienced designers who make use of a cohesive variety of plants to create a stunning display. Categories not segregated but mixed for leaf shape, height and colour, whether they be ‘edible’ – purpose of the Autumn Show Gardens, or also floral and from the wild. (I so admire the use in France of public spaces with garden annuals along the roadsides attracting pollinating insects – the UK is not good at this, but we could all benefit wildlife by incorporating plants to attract bees and hoverflies into our own patch.)

Pumpkins displayed to perfection

Even our allotments and vegetable plots can be decorative; we spend so much time tending them, so why not ‘think display’ – add a scarecrow with a difference, or a willow structure, or anything that you will enjoy whilst out their on your knees thinning and weeding. Take your camera to the Show if you don’t already do so, and record what you see to act as a reminder.

Taking photos is always enjoyable - keep your eyes open 
and camera at the ready

Have a bit of fun with your imagery! No two Shows are the same and creating a photographic record means you will not forget your day out. Build your own library. Photographs will remind you of those aspects that inspired you; jumping-off points from which to broaden your gardening horizons. Enjoy your day at the Show – and have you yet booked your tickets??

All images used in this post are reproduced 

by courtesy of Stuart Purfield.

Top of the bill in the 'Good Life Pavilion'

Mary Berry, CBE
(image credit: Tim James/Mabel Gray)

It would seem that celebrated author, columnist, teacher and broadcaster, Mary Berry CBE, is flavour of the month in more ways than one. Bookshops have a number of her latest books on display, and another title is scheduled for release two days before the Malvern Autumn Show. And she is coming to Malvern - top of the bill and special guest on the Saturday (28th September).

Best known most recently for her part in the TV baking revival, and for her practical and healthy recipes containing lots of fresh ingredients, Mary is a household name, having hosted seven cookery series for Thames Television, and several others since. She is known for her views on family food for healthy living, so was the perfect choice of guest for the popular ‘Good Life Pavilion’. Said Sharon Gilbert, Communications Manager for the Three Counties Showground: “Home-produced food is one of the main themes of our Autumn event, particularly the grow your own lifestyle, which is still very much in vogue.”

A smiling Joe Swift

Although she will be sharing her top tips for delicious family cooking, Mary will also be talking about her passion for her own lovely garden, on stage with television gardener Joe Swift. Check your Show Guide on arrival for details. The ‘Good Life Pavilion’ is just one of a whole host of features planned for the Show. Indeed, the Malvern Autumn Show is now renowned as a celebration of country life, food and nostalgia on account of its charming mix of flowers, fruit and vegetables, exquisite crafts, local food with taste, and quality shopping. The Show organisers are anticipating a big crowd on both Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th. 

The Good Life in an edible show garden

The Pavilion is also home to five lovingly designed edible gardens this year, and there’s a brand new, complementary Plant Fair, for those with a real passion for unusual species grown by small specialist nurseries. The whole area is dedicated to promoting the secrets of living a happy, healthy life, beginning with the benefits of sowing, growing and eating produce from your own ‘back yard’ – even if that back yard is just a small collection of patio pots. The Show is only five weeks away - don't forget to book your tickets!

Autumn Show - looking forward

Enjoying a day at the 2012 Malvern Autumn Show

Can you have a love affair with a place, or days in time? A longing to re-visit, because of the inspiration you know is there, waiting for you to discover it? It is like this for me whenever I am heading towards the Malvern Hills and the Three Counties Showground; and today, I am there again in spirit, for I begin previewing this year’s Malvern Autumn Show in earnest, with weekly posts between now and the actual Show (28th-29th September, 2013).

Tea in a vintage caravan

If you have only just discovered Ann’s Malvern Jotter, let me explain: it provides a series of posts to help you enjoy your visit to a specific Show, so you will know in outline what to expect, leaving you more time when you arrive at the Showground to enjoy your visit. There’s always so much to do and see that a ‘first-timer’ can find it all somewhat bewildering. It’s a bit like the first day at secondary school, it always helps to have someone metaphorically hold your hand; by the second year you know the ropes. (Apologies to readers who already follow the Blog, you will understand and know what I mean.)

Enticing display in the Good Life Pavilion (2012)

Every Show at Malvern provides old favourites and many new aspects and themes, and this year’s Autumn Show is no exception. With the focus on Grow Your Own and a healthy, sustainable lifestyle, food and its provenance including cookery, there is very much a feeling of harvest in all its senses. New for this year is that the Cookery Theatre will be centre-stage in Avon Hall (south side of the Showground) and home of the ‘Festival of Food and Drink’.

Learning new skills: by the Fishing Lake (2011)

Apart from that, there’s an emphasis on education in the Discovery Zone, including - by the lake - fishing and pond-cam, pumpkin factory and mushrooms for the masses. There’s also a Plant Fair featuring nurseries who have never exhibited at Malvern before. 'Landscaping Live' continues to promote the benefits of quality landscaping for an average garden, whether this is through engaging the right professional or a DIY project. For 2013 it has been agreed to have one garden with parts of this being worked on during the show.  The Show organisers are delighted to be working on this project with Acorn’s Hospice to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Vintage farm machine still in working order (2012)

Other returning ‘regulars’ are the Midland Championships for the National Vegetable Society and the National Finals of the Young Farmers Tug of War Competition with teams from all over England (Saturday only), plus various activities in the Forestry section. Always enjoyed is The Orchard Pavilion, and 'edible' show gardens in the Good Life Pavilion. The programme this year in the Activity Arena includes a Dog Agility competition final on each day, and a daily parades of dogs, horses and other animals in the World of Animals area. Not to be ignored are other distinct features: the Harvest Pavilion, Forgotten Skills, Country Pursuits Marquee, Blacksmithing and Archery plus shopping opportunities galore, including a Plant Fair, Guild of Crafts from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, Countryside Shopping Pavilion and stands all around the Showground.

I'm discussing a fine crop of apples in the Orchard Pavilion (2012)

There is so much more to tell you about on my list including the many desirable activities and exhibits on the theme of Nostalgia. This post is just a taster; all in all the Malvern Autumn Show is an event with a great atmosphere and something for everyone. I’ll be back next week with the next Preview,  and meanwhile, please keep visiting the various links provided in this Blog - and remember to purchase tickets so you can enjoy all that is  on offer. 

All images in this post courtesy of Ray Quinton, 

and do take a look at my 
 'Pinterest' Showground image board.

And now ....

We are between Shows, looking back at, and assessing, the last - and forward to the next. As this is an interim post, we thought a photo-collage of each would provide a reminder of the one, and an opportunity for you to buy tickets in advance for the other.

My final collage from the many images that I and my 
photographer husband took during 
the 2013 Royal Three Counties Show

The ‘Royal’, as it has become known, or to give it its full name - the ‘Royal Three Counties Show’ was a roaring success, as 95,000 people came from all over Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and beyond, to enjoy the very best of British food, farming and countryside! Show organizer, the midlands-based Three Counties Agricultural Society, said it was delighted that its newly titled event had gone so well, and that it was looking forward to building on that success in the future. (A date for your diary: Next year’s Royal Three Counties Show is set for 13th-15th June, 2014) – three jam-packed days of family entertainment and fun, all in celebration of our great British farming world and countryside.)

Previewing this year's Malvern Autumn Show - more to follow
in the weeks ahead. (Images courtesy Ray Quinton)

And so to this September, and the ‘Malvern Autumn Show’ – 28th-29th September, 2013. A veritable feast for the senses in more ways than one, focussing on a true celebration of harvest: food, the countryside, gardening - and nostalgia. It’s a show for food and gardening lovers, and hosts a range of gardening talks, vegetable displays, cookery demonstrations, vintage tractors, crafts and, as ever, so much more.  I start Show Previews in earnest next week, so do keep visiting to discover all the various aspects being arranged for your enjoyment. Click here for advance ticket sales.