If you know of anyone who might be tempted to exhibit at our shows, phone or email the AGS Centre and they will be glad to send a Handbook out to the member concerned.

The big change during 2005 was the continued expansion of the Shows coverage on the internet, usually there a day or so after the show.  As well as the full results and the picture gallery of plants, you could also see a short report describing the highlights of each show.

I would like to continue this expansion during 2006 by including additional personal show reports by other members.  If you would like to do this for the occasional show, let me know and I will organise a user ID and password on the website that will enable you to submit your report and any pictures you want to include.

Anyone who takes digital pictures at a show (general views, or interesting plants) can continue to email them to me and I will display a selection in the picture gallery.

The Society website is at:

www.alpinegardensociety.net

Another important feature at AGS Shows is the Joint Rock Plant Committee comprising representatives from the RHS, the AGS and the SRGC.  It meets at many of our shows and enables the recording of a widely circulated and highly respected account of Alpine plants.  In this issue, Rod Leeds, the Chair of the Committee tells us a little more about how it operates.  I would strongly encourage exhibitors with plants of interest to place them before the Joint Rock Committee and add to this diverse and informative record.

My thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the shows during 2005 and good luck with your exhibiting in 2006.

                                                                                                       Jim McGregor
                                                            email: Jim.McGregor@agsgroups.org

In this issue

·       The Joint Rock Plant Committtee, Rod Leeds

·       Workshop on Showing Alpines, Sunday 30 April, Jim Almond

·       The February Display, Loughborough

·       South Wales Show - back to Caerleon

·       Summer North, 30th Anniversary

·       The Online Flower Show

·       Conservation - Wild-Collected Plant Material

·       Aggregate tables for 2005

The Joint Rock Plant Committee of the RHS - Rod Leeds

This year the Joint Rock Garden Plant Committee is sixty years old. It was formed in 1936 to formalise the awards already being given to plants by the fledgling AGS. Since that date every plant given an award has been described in the AGS Bulletin (Alpine Gardener) forming a very comprehensive and unique record, of which the Society can be justifiably proud.

Each year the ‘Joint Rock’ meets at seven AGS shows (including the London show at the RHS in April). These meetings are indicated by the JR printed next to the venue in the Show programme and the Show Handbook.

Plants for assessment have to be entered on a standard form obtainable from the show secretary by 11am on the show day. It helps greatly if the exhibitor includes the history of the plant, so a full assessment can be given. If there is doubt about the provenance then the committee always errs on the side of caution. The plants do not have to be ones from the show bench, but do need to be of show condition to receive awards. The secretary of the group is Primrose Upward, who has to work very quickly to check if the plant has had a previous award and more testingly to see if there has been a name change in the ensuing years. We do try to return the plants to the show bench as soon as possible, but these checks are vital to ensure probity.

We do thank exhibitors who take the trouble to place plants before the committee. It really does ensure that plants from high alpines to ferns and bulbs are assessed and recorded. A feat looked on at quite jealously by other sectors of the plant world.

Practical Workshop on Showing Alpines - SUNDAY, 30 APRIL 2006

This workshop is the first in a new series of workshops. The day will be led by Jim Almond who is a successful exhibitor and experienced grower of alpines. The workshop will be aimed primarily at AGS members who are currently exhibiting in sections C or B but newcomers to showing, or those recently taking the plunge in the Open Section, will find useful tips on growing and preparing for a show.  Even if you do not exhibit you will still find the topics covered will give helpful advice on how to get the best from the plants you grow.

The day will start at 10.00 am and finish at approximately, 4.00 pm. Plants will be available for sale. The cost will be £18.00 for AGS members and £24.00 for non-members. A lunch will be included in this cost.  Further information and booking forms are available from the AGS Centre.