Broader, but shallower?
Last post 20-01-2009 6:07 PM by Digger. 21 replies.
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19/01/2009 10:02 PM
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- Jenny Woods
- Peripatetic
- 19 Jan 2009
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4
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I welcome the RHS's intent to widen knowledge of horticulture and design by reaching out beyond its traditional boundaries. Yet I fear that in so doing the depth of knowledge embodied by the Society is being lost. This can already be seen in the changes in The Garden magazine - the subject matter is treated in less depth and the loss of the Index means the magazine is no longer a resource to be filed and treasured, but skimmed and binned with all the other glossies.
Yes, catch all the enthusiastic beginners, but can you not give something more challenging to those of us who have thought, learned, built and gardened for several years!?
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19/01/2009 10:53 PM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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4,743
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Hi Jenny woods I think the Plantsman might be a magazine more to your liking
digger 
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20/01/2009 09:28 AM
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- VP
- Chippenham
- 14 Jan 2009
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32
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That may be so, Digger but that means paying out more money for wjat is already an expensive membership. Perhaps the RHS could offer members an option to choose which publication they prefer?
VP
http://vegplotting.blogspot.com
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20/01/2009 09:31 AM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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4,743
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Yes an optional choice between the two would a good idea, personally I like the format of the new look magazine the garden, but I can understand it may not be to everyones taste.
digger
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20/01/2009 09:38 AM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,976
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I'll back Jenny on the loss of the index. If you're keeping your magazines for future reference then an index is very important and saves hours of trawling through page after page, over and again and then going back and repeating it all in case you missed it.
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20/01/2009 09:39 AM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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4,743
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What do you think about the content though Miranda?
digger
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20/01/2009 09:56 AM
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- Dan Wolfe
- 15 Dec 2008
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9
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Hello Jenny
You're right, we want all gardeners to feel that the RHS is an organisation that serves their interests - regardless of their horticultural expertise. However, we were founded to promote excellence in horticulture and will never abandon that mission.
Today, the RHS publishes more academic work than at any time in its history, shares more knowledge with more gardeners, and invests more in its libraries and collections.
I'm sorry that you feel that The Garden is a less useful resource than it was. We regularly pause to consider the editorial content in response to annually conducted readership surveys. We think that there is a good mix of articles that appeal across board. But we will continue to listen to feedback from readers - and we do always encourage letters to the Editor's postbag!
Regards
Dan
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20/01/2009 09:58 AM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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4,743
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I have to agree there has been some wonderful letters published in the magazine
digger
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20/01/2009 09:58 AM
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- Ant
- Berkshire
- 20 Jan 2009
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13
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Although not everyone has computer access an index linked through the web site might help and past articles could be accessed on line.
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20/01/2009 10:07 AM
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Hi, was`interested in VP's comment that membership is expensive! The Garden itself is worth £51 a year- more than the membership fee and that is before taking into account the free entry to RHS gardens and the Recommended gardens access across the UK. I think this makes it value for money.
Sarah Buxton, Director of Finance
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20/01/2009 10:09 AM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,976
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'What do you think about the content though Miranda?' I like it, digger. It's interesting and easy to read without being Noddy Goes To Town. Must say, though, that one of the first things that attracted me to the magazine was the photography. I read the articles but always look at all the photographs first. 'I have to agree there has been some wonderful letters published in the magazine' Yes, and who was it that had their letter published recently?
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20/01/2009 10:19 AM
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- Ant
- Berkshire
- 20 Jan 2009
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13
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Sarah said The Garden is worth £51 a year. That is based on the cover price which is higher than many other mags. (Homes and Gardens £3.60, Country Life £3.20) Can you buy The Garden from a newsagent?
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20/01/2009 10:23 AM
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- VP
- Chippenham
- 14 Jan 2009
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32
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Sarah - I'm not sure I'd pay £51 to receive 'The Garden' - it's much more expensive than any other gardening magazine available at that price. I beleive it is available for non-members to buy and I'm interested in where it's available and how many people do actually buy it.
I wrote about membership benefits on my blog last year - it came out cost neutral for me, but I felt supporting things like research, AGM's etc are the things I want to support via my membership.
VP
http://vegplotting.blogspot.com
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20/01/2009 10:25 AM
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Hi, yes The Garden is available to newsagents via the distributor, Seymour. About 8,000 copies a year are circulated this way.
Sarah Buxton, Director of Finance
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20/01/2009 10:27 AM
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- VP
- Chippenham
- 14 Jan 2009
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32
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Sarah - just follow up on my reply. Here's the details of the article I wrote on my blog if you're interested. I did a cost benefit analysis of my membership and also got some very interesting responses in my comments:
http://vegplotting.blogspot.com/2008/11/vpggb-4-rhs-membership.html
VP
http://vegplotting.blogspot.com
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