Gardens First
Last post 17-07-2009 10:15 PM by Digger. 17 replies.
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03/06/2009 11:37 PM
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Almost two years ago the new Director General of the RHS, in open consultation, refused to consider the sale & lease back of its headquarters in Vincent Sq London for a potential sum in excess of £60million. Now the Society announces that it is to make up to 80 full time equivalents redundant in order to save 10% off its wage bill across 720 nationwide employees.
No doubt the 5 employees earning in excess of £100,000 (inc benefits) have nothing to fear but what of the gardeners at Wisley, Hyde Hall et al whom rarely earn much more than the minimum the Society deems they can live on.
The DG’s reason given for not selling off her crown - the central London HQ- ‘’We are a prestigious organisation and need a prestigious head office’’.
Perhaps it is time for the RHS to give up its kaleidoscopic corporate experiment into charitable horticulture, media and education perhaps returning to its niche as a learned Society – with some great gardens to boot!
Beetling ahead....maybe.........?
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04/06/2009 07:45 AM
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- David
- Sevenoaks
- 11 May 2009
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98
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This does appear most diquieting.
Obviously, Management and the Accountants have a job to do but any reduction in the number of those professional and dedicated horticulturists must eventually lead to a tarnishing of the Society's real jewels namely the Gardens.
Frankly, I have yet to be convinced of the importance of the Vincent Square headquarters particularly now the London Flower Shows are in danger of becoming just a pleasant memory.
Management have very demanding challenges to face and should certainly have an appropiate "Seat" but what could be most prestigious than Wisley?
A base here or one of the other Gardens would have the added benefit of getting those at the helm closer to horticulture and those valuable individuals ensuring the faultless running of all aspects of the Society's outstanding qualities.
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04/06/2009 09:06 AM
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This person is unknown to me, has opinions I do not share and I resent its taking my name in vain in a rather offensive manner.
Boggy
Beware the bat-eared bogweevil
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04/06/2009 09:54 AM
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- David
- Sevenoaks
- 11 May 2009
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98
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That's very interesting.
Are his or her facts correct? If they are it must be from someone very close to the heart of the Society
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04/06/2009 01:56 PM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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4,743
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Maybe it's someone who would have an interest in owning the property that wasn't sold? maybe Boris Johnson?
digger 
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04/06/2009 02:50 PM
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- RogerBee
- Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
- 14 Jan 2009
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84
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I agree with David in that Wisley would seem to make a lot of sense as a long term HQ for the RHS. The whole point of sale & lease-back is that you can raise capital which could be invested in whatevere project(s) AND retain the use of the Vincent Square offices on a lease. Tenure and amount of the lease can be wwritten into the initial sale agreement so there will be no shock rent increases for the period of the initial lease. At the end of that time (however long it may be) the lease can either be renewed/ renegotiated or the Society can walk away from the building into something more fitting for the 21st century.
Give it a go - it might just work!
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04/06/2009 03:05 PM
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- Susiq
- Northumberland
- 16 Feb 2008
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1,104
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I agree with Boggy and find it very offensive to have taken a plagerised/offensive version of his name on this forum. I sincerely hope you have contacted admin Boggy???
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04/06/2009 03:08 PM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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4,743
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Yes we should grass on the culprit.
digger
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04/06/2009 09:17 PM
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Sorry old fruit - didn't mean to offend.
Hope you & your team are AOK
Regards,
Beetle
#The truth is out there #
Beetling ahead....maybe.........?
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04/06/2009 10:23 PM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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4,743
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well thats a really bad show old chap! what a rotter, awfully bad form to do that
digger
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05/06/2009 10:20 AM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,976
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Huh? What have I missed?
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05/06/2009 10:41 AM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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4,743
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I'll pm you Miranda
digger
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05/06/2009 11:30 AM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,976
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Thanks, digger 
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10/07/2009 10:36 PM
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I was delighted to read that John Humphris, President of the Professional Gardeners’ Guild, has been awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH). Only 63 horticulturalists hold the VMH at any one time: to mark the length of Queen Victoria’s reign. Perhaps She (&JH) would be dismayed to learn that all professional gardeners within the RHS are being rebranded as ‘Horticultural Technicians’ and that the RHS intends sacking 10% of them. If this were not bad enough those highly experienced gardeners that are unsuccessful in gaining one of these new posts will be required to vacate their tied accommodation pretty smartly. Lord Aberconway is I’m sure, turning in his grave
Beetling ahead....maybe.........?
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10/07/2009 10:44 PM
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Hi Boggy - didn't mean to offend.
A few rhetorical comments needed here -
Guessing by your comments you may be quite happy with the action plan / sackings / reappointments / reallignments proposed by the directors of the RHS - or are people generally too afraid or institutionalised to question them?
Remember - your final salary pension is safe - or is it?
Beetling ahead....maybe.........?
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