News
RHS announces horticulture's premier awards at Chelsea
Must see - things you shouldn't miss at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2006
RHS Garden Rosemoor - first ever garden at Chelsea: Read the write-up in the May issue of The Garden
Saga Insurance to Sponsor RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Hillier Nurseries sets a New Guinness World Record at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Water contingency plans for Chelsea
The RHS is finalising details of a voluntary hosepipe ban for Chelsea Flower Show. It is likely that exhibitors in the Grand Pavilion will be using extracted water from large containers to irrigate their exhibits.
The Society is under no obligation to review water use at its shows but, in the present conditions, it intends to lead by example.
All water used during the show, including for catering and toilets, is metered; a team of consultants is working out how much is used on exhibits so an alternative supply can be found. Traditionally water comes from two below-ground storage tanks filled with mains water. Alternatives include filling them with extracted water brought in by tanker or drilling an on-site borehole - these are being discussed with Thames Water. Exhibitors could then access this water from standpipes.
After the show the grounds of the Royal Hospital are returfed, which requires ample water, but this will be delayed this year until October.