2013 marks the Centenary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. This will undoubtedly be celebrated with gusto and panache, befitting such a prestigious and well-loved event in the horticulturalist’s calendar. However, many people may not realise that this will be the Society’s third Centenary celebration. The last one was celebrated in 2004; the same year as its Bicentenary, and the first was held in 1904.
It was in 1804 when the Royal Horticultural Society was founded above what is now Hatchards bookshop in Piccadilly. 100 years later it celebrated its Centenary by building and opening its own dedicated exhibition hall, library and new headquarters building on Vincent Square, Westminster. Opened by King Edward VII and Queen Alexander on the 22nd July, in the company of a distinguished company of guests, the Royal Horticultural Hall very quickly became in demand from an extraordinarily wide number of non-horticultural and commercially beneficial clients.
The Society’s own weekly flower, fruit and vegetable shows were popular, of course, and many affiliated floral societies also began to hold their own shows there. However, from very early on and right through to the Hall’s Centenary in 2004, and beyond, it became clear that the greatest use of this well positioned facility in the heart of Westminster was from external exhibition and event organisers wanting to stage what became, in many instances, groundbreaking and landmark events. The dramatic social, religious, military, political and lifestyle changes that were taking place throughout this period were being played out and mirrored through these events in this Hall, and in the subsequent New Hall close by, opened in 1928 by Princess Mary.
The best examples of these were the Model Engineer and Schoolboys Own Exhibitions that drew millions of young and old alike from far and wide over a century from 1907 to witness the inventions of the day; the advent of wireless, telephony, television by John Logie Baird, and the first British Robot; the chance of seeing famous sports personalities; the early racing car drivers such as Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss with their cars, including the innovative Cooper brand; flying pioneers and their flying machines such as Sir Hiram Maxim and Amy Johnson and Sir Malcolm Campbell (the fastest man on water with his Bluebird machine) and the man who founded the Scout movement Lord Baden-Powell with his wife Lady Olave Baden-Powell who became Chief Guide for Britain in 1918. You could also make your own gramophone records and take them home with you in 1930 and when the space race began in earnest you could enter the “Space Machine” in the 1953 Exhibition.
These consumer events, in particular, played an important role in educating as well as entertaining the public when television and social media were non-existent. So it begs the question, “Do we still need exhibitions and events today?” The answer is a resounding yes. The Ideal Home Exhibition (that almost started in the RHS Halls) still exists after 105 years and is as popular as ever. Times have changed and technology has enabled us to harness this to our advantage. However, we all still need tactile interaction with each other and 3-dimensional products that we are interested in.
The need to communicate face-to-face is almost more important to us now than ever before, because of the faceless technology we have to face that is often flawed and deeply frustrating for many. Exhibitions, both trade and consumer, are thriving but they are becoming more niche and, with sophisticated electronic marketing, audiences that are relevant and interested in the exhibition or event concerned can be targeted more easily.
It is true that some venues and halls have fallen by the wayside, and Earl’s Court is about to become the most prominent of these. In their place, other venues more purpose-built and consumer friendly with wi-fi and other modern technology a standard feature, are taking their place.
Our primeval instinct to gather and meet; to interact and trade; be educated and entertained in market squares, halls and other places, as our forbears have done for centuries, is alive and well and I predict, will remain so for many generations to come to celebrate, perhaps different, but more centenaries.
'Sweet Peas, Suffragettes and Showmen: Events that Changed the World in RHS Halls' is available now.