Following on from this year’s celebration of Malvern’s heritage as a Victorian spa resort, inspiration for next year’s Spring Festival is being drawn from The Great Exhibition of 1851.
The event will be hosted at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, from 10th to 13th May 2018.
Head of Show, Diana Walton, said: “We're channelling the spirit of the Great Exhibition with plenty of innovation, education and a spectacular day out.
“We’re also linking into the ambition of the Great Exhibition and hoping that just as its influence lived on long after the event, our visitors will have such a memorable day it will leave a lasting impression for many years to come.”
What is the Great Exhibition?
The Great Exhibition was the first exhibition of manufactured products. It was held in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park and had a huge impact on influencing art and design. The town of Malvern was put into the global spotlight in 1851 when its prized waters formed the Great Exhibition centrepiece. At the opening ceremony, led by Queen Victoria, its waters cascaded through a 26ft crystal Schweppes fountain.
New to the Spring Festival in 2018
Visitors will be treated to an experience in a space filled with 2,600sqm of flowers and works of art.
Three six-metre terrariums, created by landscape designer Paul Hervey-Brookes, will showcase a Palm tree, Olive tree and Pomegranate as striking focal points.
A ‘Grow and Know’ section will centre around an Eco Marquee with talks on sustainable gardening, demonstrations and interactive art all around the theme of community and growing food.
A new-look Pavilion will let gardeners show-off their best flowers, bulbs, alpines, vegetables, pot plants, ever-popular succulents and photography. First time gardeners will have access to National Plant Societies in a marquee brimming with knowledge and advice.
This year’s Show Gardens, still to be announced, will draw inspiration from the Great Exhibition theme with both traditional and contemporary interpretations. Shortlisted ideas include a Perfumer’s Garden, a tribute to the WWI Centenary, and a garden celebrating an iconic local ceramicist.
There will also be: shopping arcades; a festival theatre featuring Chelsea garden designer and BBC presenter James Alexander-Sinclair, demonstrations and talks; food and drink; and an animated live kitchen with cookery demonstrations from top chefs.
Group organisers can call 0844 412 4650 to make a booking.
For more information, visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk.
