RHS Online at the shows

And now the time has come...

Geoff Hodge — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:12:00 GMT

I think that's it, I think I'm finished - both the live show coverage and physically! I've been on the showground since six o'clock this morning finishing putting up the awards details and mopping up the last pictures we need. I've been putting them up live on the website and now I think everything is complete.

This means I can now go home.

Fabulous, but long day

Geoff Hodge — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:53:00 GMT

Press Day at Chelsea has been a great success - both for the show itself and the RHS Online team.

All the displays look fantastic and, all in all, this year's show is going to delight, and possibly surprise, all the visitors. I know there have been some comments on the forum that many of the gardens have a green theme (the colour green that is, but many also have a green 'eco' theme) and are lacking colour, but I think it's a refreshing change. After all, green is a colour too and the green and white shades provide a really peaceful and restful feel to the show.

Celebs in the sun

Geoff Hodge — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:49:00 GMT

Well, here we are at Press Day at Chelsea - also unofficially known as celebs day, since a lot of TV, film, radio and other celebrities also come for a good look around. And, of course, the queen will be arriving later this afternoon.

It's a beautiful day and the show ground is looking fantastic - as are the gardens, floral displays in the Great Pavilion and everything else at the show.

I've arrived

Geoff Hodge — Sat, 17 May 2008 16:00:00 GMT

The excitement is mounting. I'm in the Press Tent on the showground, just checking that my computer works and I have everything set up to start producing the live coverage of the show.

And it's all go here at the moment. The show is taking shape nicely and there are some cracking gardens. Despite the rain over the past few days, most of the gardens look well advanced and, unlike this time last year, there doesn't seem to be an overall air of panic. Last year the weather leading up to the show was horrendous and many of the gardens looked like they would never be finished! But it takes more than several inches of rain to put off the hardy show exhibitors and, of course, everyone finished their displays in time for judging.

Get ready, set - go

Geoff Hodge — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:38:00 GMT

As Web Editor for RHS Online one of the best bits of my job is going to Chelsea - and the other RHS shows - especially being able to look around before the show opens and see how things are progressing.

It's not a big 'jolly' though by any figment of the imagination - long days, early starts, late nights and lots of running around like a loon with my camera and notepad.