The Caley

Congratulations to the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society which has just marked its bicentenary. ‘The Caley’ as it is affectionately known runs a hugely popular advice stall at Gardening Scotland where members answer visitors queries on everything from planting and pruning to pests and diseases.
Last week however it was the members themselves who were given the chance to put their questions to the experts when the Caley took part in a very special recording of Gardeners’ Question Time.
I was lucky enough to be in the audience to hear Bob Flowerdew, Bunny Guinness and Chris Beardshaw tackle queries with wit and wisdom and I’ll be tuning in to Radio Four at 3pm on Friday, 4 December to hear the broadcast. (The programme will be repeated at 2pm in Sunday, 6 December).
Gardeners’ Question Time has been on the air for more than 60 years and I’ve been listening to it for at least 20 of those, so it was a real treat for me to meet the panellists before they Show.
When I joined them they were in the middle of a discussion about the merits of ‘instant’ hedging, with Bunny Guinness, who had used it on several projects, coming out strongly in favour of it.
Bunny was also very much in favour of the cakes that were piled high on plates along the length of the table.
“We do the Show in village halls, church halls and community centres around the UK and over the years we’ve learnt to judge each venue by the quality of the cakes,” she told me.
Fortunately the standard of the questions posed by Caley members measured by to the home baking and the result was a lively and hugely enjoyable recording that was brilliantly chaired by broadcaster Eric Robson.
Bringing GQT and The Caley together was proof that some of our oldest gardening institutions have as much going for them today as they did when they were formed.
Agnes Stevenson