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Well, I've paid my entry fee........

(106 Posts)
phoenix Thu 25-Jul-19 19:31:59

Evening, and sending good wishes.

This coming Saturday is our local Village Show! (Archers listeners, think Flower & Produce grin)

A few neighbours suggested that I should enter my hanging basket. Despite living in the village for 15 years, I have never entered anything before shock

Mr P made it very clear that he didn't want me to enter it, as he was sure it would be damaged in transit sad

So, with the deadline for entries approaching (Wednesday, 8pm) yesterday afternoon I trundled round to the show secretary's house, paid the fee and submitted my entry form!

I now only have to get it to the village hall.confused

Now, my hanging basket is BIG! 16" across and very heavy!

It has been suggested that the best option would be to hang it from a broom handle and get a couple of strong people to take an end each and carry it, as putting it in a car or van might result in damage.

My neighbours son is a big strong lad and has offered to help, but Mr P is flatly refusing to be on the other end.

I'm pretty determined to get it there, even though I probably don't stand a chance of even getting placed, the whole thing is VERY competitive!

Wish me luck in getting it there, and if I do, a bit more luck in the thing getting the judges approval!

Callistemon Thu 25-Jul-19 22:31:57

This is how one Australian woman transported hers:

chantalmcurrie.wordpress.com/2016/03/12/hanging-basket-on-the-move/https://chantalmcurrie.wordpress.com/2016/03/12/hanging-basket-on-the-move

Perhaps buckets as suggested above and strings to keep it steady?

However, I think strong neighbour's son and persuading Mr P could be the best idea

Coolgran65 Thu 25-Jul-19 22:24:37

A lighthearted suggestion smile

Upended bucket, with another bucket upended on it, and another, until it is tall enough to set the basket on without the trailing plants touching the floor.

Place bucket-tower upright in the back of an empty bedford van, horse trailer......
Two persons with phenomenal balance/strength in the back of said bedford van.
Hanging basket is in a box with trailing plants outside the box. Box is set on top of the bucket tower and held in place by the persons of phenomenal balance. Still have to think of how to ensure the bucket tower doesn't slide across the floor of the van.

The bedford van/horsebox travels as slowly as possible to enable the persons of phenomenal balance (popb) to stay upright. Perhaps at 5 mph. Possibly each popb could be supported from the back by another popb who has braced themselves against the sides of the van/horsebox.....
Travelling at the speed of 5 mph the driver must be careful not to slam on the brakes - that way lies disaster.

Of course, this idea is only the proto type and needs some refining.

Luckygirl Thu 25-Jul-19 22:23:42

Local rugby club?

Coolgran65 Thu 25-Jul-19 22:11:32

Terry Wogan - The Floral Dance
Perfect for a Village Fete

www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3Y4HufJ1oE

phoenix Thu 25-Jul-19 22:10:40

I did consider a wheelbarrow, but think that there would still be a high risk of bloom damage.

crazyH Thu 25-Jul-19 22:09:05

Good luck Phoenix .......with brute strength and determination you will get there and you will win. Keep us posted..

Coolgran65 Thu 25-Jul-19 22:09:01

Surely a few strapping Sixth Formers on school holidays would be glad to help. Or even be tasked with coming up with a solution smile

Wandering off .... still thinking .....

BlueBelle Thu 25-Jul-19 22:08:27

Good luck Phoenix I love cherries idea of Terry Wogan floral dance ‘piping you in’

Coolgran65 Thu 25-Jul-19 22:07:38

Your hanging basket is of the 'random and rustic' genre.

'Even all the way round' and 'symetry' is too easy... and without character !!

I think a pp has already mentioned a wheelbarrow. Have you considered this or are your trailing plants too long for a wheelbarrow..

There has to be a way..... wanders off thinking.....

sodapop Thu 25-Jul-19 22:04:45

Good luck Phoenix made me laugh thinking of your strapping young men with the broom handle and basket. Fingers crossed.

phoenix Thu 25-Jul-19 21:55:43

farview thank you for the vote of confidence, but I've already been told that I might be marked down as the planting isn't even all the way round!

I went for a variety of plants and colours, not symetry!

phoenix Thu 25-Jul-19 21:50:38

Hello Charleygirl! Heaven knows what possessed me to enter, but I have!

Perhaps I should have gone for the 6 cheese scones class, or the "petite flower arrangement in shades of purple, after all there are 190 classes to choose from, but as I don't currently grow any veg, that rules out quite a few grin

Mr P was very anti when I first mentioned that I was considering it, but I had hoped he would come round when I came up with the broom handle option, especially as I already had one person lined up, but no.sad

Anyway, I have a couple of options lined up,so I WILL get it to the hall on time!

Thankfully it's not far, walking distance even, but perhaps a bit tough carrying the damn thing!

Thank you for the offer of giving Mr P a talking to, but I don't think he will be moved on this one!

Callistemon Thu 25-Jul-19 21:43:11

Good luck phoenix

I sometimes think I should enter some craft or jellies in the local show but never have.
The same people do seem to win every year, though!!

farview Thu 25-Jul-19 21:40:32

Oh good luck!! Sensing a winner!!!

Charleygirl5 Thu 25-Jul-19 21:29:30

phoenix is the hot weather affecting you?!!!!

It seems a difficult job to do if Mr.P is being so awkward. Would a "talking to" from me help? I think he is being mean especially as you have paid the fee- you do not want to waste your money.

phoenix Thu 25-Jul-19 21:22:49

Ooh annsixty that would be regarded as anarchy!

The show even has separate classes, local flowers, (people who live in the parish) open flowers (people who dont) same applied to the vegetable classes!

There is also a statement in the rules that states "All persons exhibiting fruit, flower or vegetables not grown by themselves shall forfeit all claim to prizes and have their conduct publicly exposed" shock

Surprised they don't actually threaten them with the stocks!

annsixty Thu 25-Jul-19 20:50:59

If you live in a small village I would make the suggestion that in future years the judges visit the baskets in situ on the evening before the show.
Other people may be feeling the same as you and would be very upset if their prize blooms were damaged.

phoenix Thu 25-Jul-19 20:50:25

Cherrytree grin grin

phoenix Thu 25-Jul-19 20:13:56

Thank you!

Erm, my car doesn't have a back seatblush

shysal loving your positive "when you win" grin it's highly unlikely,but at least I will have a go!

Lisagran Thu 25-Jul-19 20:12:54

Ha ha - great post Cherrytree59 - I can see the video now smile

lemongrove Thu 25-Jul-19 19:55:36

X posts shysal

lemongrove Thu 25-Jul-19 19:55:07

No, nothing worse than a bent helichrysium, haha!
If you put the basket on the back seat, it can trail down, you can sit next to it and hold on to it.

shysal Thu 25-Jul-19 19:54:09

If there are no plants coming out of the bottom of the basket you could balance it on one bucket on top of another upturned one and put in a van or car if you sit beside it.
Let us know when you win and post a pic please. Good luck!

phoenix Thu 25-Jul-19 19:51:42

Thank you all for the responses!

I planted the basket, Mr P waters all the baskets & tubs every evening, does the feeding and turns the baskets every Sunday.

lemongrove and trisher it's the trailing plants that are the worry, I don't want to end up with my surfinias all crumpled and the helichrysum (sp) bent!

Cherrytree59 Thu 25-Jul-19 19:49:44

2 tall lads and broom handle for basket sounds just the ticket Phoenix

You at the front waving a red flag.
MrP bringing up the rear.

Brass Band playing Terry Wogan's and Floral dance?

On the way back Brass Band playing 'We are the champions, ?