R.H.S. Membership

So, what where you up to or is it still Top Secret?

Steve...

 

Not a secret now, I sent them an e mail with a link to this thread for feedback and asked if they would like to open up a dialogue with us as both our members would have a lot in common.

They didn't bother replying, possibly because they have their own forum?

Well, their loss not ours, if they don't want to talk to potential customers its up to them.

 

my dealings with the rhs have resulted in me considering them to be arrogant, single minded, unflexable, rude and overrated.:nono:
i know i sound miserable but i have worked for one of the vice chaireman of the rhsfor 2 yrs (mr martin lane fox nice chap but hates pastel colours in gardens), i have worked over the years with 5 people who have wisley rhs diplomas all of them great people but stuck only in textbook methods no diversity or intrest in learning estate methord gardening.
don't get me wrong the rhs is a valuable horticultral resource, but is dated and over managed.

i consider it their loss not to take an intrest in G,C, i've found it welcoming, informative and most of all fun.

 

Thanks for letting us know Ziggy.

It's a shame the RHS are so short sighted expecially in such austere economical times, one would think an organisation would bend over backwards for new members and so better finance's.

Steve...

 

No worries Steve, just wish I could have reported back with a better outcome.

Still, if they can afford to ignore 10,000 gardeners they must be charging too much in the first place.

I won't be joining again.

 

It's also the loss of 10,000 potential membership fees! :DOH:

 

Might send them this link again.

 

You said you gave a link to this thread to the RHS...this thread starts with 7 more or less negative answers plus I don't see a pinch of enthusiasm about that society in it overall.

So of those 10,000 gardeners that you mention we are not really seeing many of them adhering to this idea that we don't know anything about...:pathead:

 

Exactly Mira, if I was the RHS, i'd sit up and take notice of negative feedback.

 

I'm not a member, never have been. I have had the odd bit of contact with them - arrogant and smug comes to mind. They seem to think they are running some kind of exclusive club rather than celebrating and enjoying all sorts of gardening with all sorts of people.
Unimpressed.

 

I'll join Ziggy if its free

 

Now an ex member. No tangible benefits of being members that we can see while the kids are young. There's only so many gardens I can get away with dragging them round before I feel guilty. Probably won't join again either, can't quite put my finger on it.

Quite a while ago studied up to and including Level 3 with the RHS. Covered some interesting subjects, it was well worth it but like most courses you take in and learn so much that how much content you actually use or refer to again is questionable.

 

Sounds a bit like our school years then Axl!

 

I was a member when I lived near Wisley and was able to nip in there after work or at weekends on a frequent basis - I even worked there for 6 months one summer (heavenly bliss). However, it didn't seem worth keeping the membership once I moved away from the area. I think it's mostly worthwhile for people who are able to visit one or other of their gardens frequently.

 

We are members, if you take a trip to wisley you have pretty much covered the cost. With more than one visit and trips to some of the shows then it more than pays for itself.

The magazine is ok, but it does get a bit samey and like much of the gardening press at the moment its a bit over the top on the grow your own stuff.