Record crowds turn up for The Edible Garden Show 2012
The Edible Garden Show has firmly established itself in the gardening world events calendar after more than 13,000 visitors attended the grow your own extravaganza at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from March 16-18.
The only national event for grow your own fruit and vegetables and home produce, which attracted 10,800 visitors for its launch event last year, has grown in popularity attracting visitors and exhibitors from around the UK. The 2012 event saw the show expand into two indoor exhibition halls, supported by a large small holders’ marquee, with 170 exhibitors showcasing innovative equipment and produce all linked to the “Good Life” theme.
Show Director Bev Channell said: “This is only our second show but clearly the gardening world has become engaged with The Edible Garden Show and we have now established ourselves as a must-see event for all those people looking for a slice of the Good Life. We are especially pleased to see the growth in visitor numbers and the very positive response we have received from our exhibitors with many of them already signing up for 2013 when we intend to continue to grow this popular event.”
TV botanist James Wong officially opened The Edible Garden Show 2012 on Friday, March 16 with help from injured servicemen and staff from Headley Court, the Surrey-based armed forces rehabilitation centre.
Headley Court has developed an innovative garden therapy unit to help servicemen returning from conflicts recover their strength, mobility and co-ordination. The horticultural therapy project is run by Major Peter Le Feuvre who says that gardening and grow-your-own also helps patients improve their concentration and reduce stress levels.
Among celebrities taking part were TV chefs John Burton Race and Rachel Green, who gave cookery demonstrations in the cookery theatre sponsored by Kerrygold Butter and Pilgrims Cheese, and popular authors and broadcasters Pippa Greenwood and Paul Peacock.
John Burton Race said: “I think this show is absolutely fantastic. It really is fun, they’re a great crowd here and it is very, very busy. It’s good synergy for me because most of the customers grow their own; they’ve got little allotments and smallholdings and raise their own livestock. What I’m trying to do at the show is some dishes with ingredients that they possibly grow and give some ideas. The feedback has been wonderful.”
The Edible Garden Show 2012 brought together inspirational celebrity gardeners and chefs, key livestock experts and innovative exhibitors to create a one-stop shop for anyone wishing to grab a slice of the ‘Good Life’. The three-day spectacular will return to Stoneleigh Park next year from March 15-March 17.
For more information visit: www.theediblegardenshow.co.uk