Introduction
The 52nd Fleuroselect Annual Convention will be held in the United Kingdom on 3 - 6 July 2023. With visits to our members Mr Fothergill's and Floranova, as well as a stop at Hyde Hall, one of the Royal Horticultural Society's main gardens and home to Floral Fantasia, we will have some floriferous days ahead of us! Further information on the convention programme as well as pre and post convention possibilities will be shared in due course.
Invitation
We are delighted to invite you to our Annual Convention, which will take place in the United Kingdom from 3-5 July.
With our members Floranova and Mr Fothergill's Seeds jointly hosting this year's conference, we have chosen 'Floral Splendour in East England' as a central theme. Read on to discover what we have in store for you!
On Monday 3rd July we will meet up for a summer’s evening get-together dinner at the Stoke-by-Nayland Resort Hotel, Colchester. A wonderful setting in which to launch the 2023 edition of our convention!
On Tuesday morning we depart for Mr Fothergill’s in Newmarket, one of the top seed distributors in the British market, where we will be given an extensive tour of the company and its exemplary trial grounds. Established in 1978, the Mr Fothergill’s Seeds assortment has developed over the years into a comprehensive range of flower and vegetable seeds for home growers. This market-leading company supplies its high-quality products to gardening retailers and garden centres, but also directly to the customer by mail order.
After lunch we head over to Hyde Hall, one of the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Our annual general meeting takes place at Hyde Hall’s Hilltop Lodge, after which we will get an exclusive tour of the vegetable/ herb trials and Floral Fantasia, the legacy of the late Peter Seabrook, with approx. 4000 bedding plants including many Gold Medal/FleuroStar winners and our entire 'Year of the Salvia' display for which many members have sent in varieties. Before heading home, we will enjoy drinks in the gardens and dinner at the Hilltop Lodge with magnificent view over the gardens.
The third day kicks off in the hotel with a keynote speech by Fergus Garrett, one of Britain’s most influential garden designers and head gardener at the Great Dixter gardens. We will then head to Floranova, one of the leading UK breeders in seed varieties for the professional bedding and pot plant sector world-wide, where we will be treated to a delicious lunch and have the opportunity to admire the company's large assortment while visiting the impressive trials.
We round off our Convention at the historic Priory Hall in Hadleigh with drinks in the garden followed by a closing dinner during which the 2024 Gold Medals will be handed over. Afterwards we return to the hotel in Colchester, where the evening will continue with an afterparty.
PARTNER PROGRAMME
An alternative in the surroundings of the hotel will be offered during the visit to Floranova.
OPTIONAL VISIT TO KERLEY & CO.
Kerley & Co would be delighted to welcome you before or after the Convention programme. The company, established by David Kerley, breeder of Petunia Tumbelina Priscilla, and managed now together with his son Tim, is located near Cambridge and has brought many other unique varieties to market over the years. Please note that this visit is not part of the Convention programme and needs to be organised individually. Appointments can be made via tim@kerley.co.uk
OPTIONAL FLEUROSELECT GOLF DAY | 6TH JULY
At the request of several of our members, we are setting up an optional Fleuroselect Golf Day on Thursday 6th July. The Nayland Resort, where our hotel is located, is not only renowned for its beautiful surroundings but also boasts an impressive golf course. Experienced players can take part in the tournament, beginners can sign up for an initiation class (Golf Clinic). Please note that this Day is not part of the Convention programme. If you are interested to take part, please register via the links below. A small fee will be charged to cover the costs.
Looking forward to welcoming you in the U.K. on 3rd of July.
Best regards,
Simon Crawford, Fleuroselect Board Member
Dominic Lacey, Fleuroselect Board Member & Managing Director Floranova
David Carey, Managing Director Mr Fothergill's
Ann Jennen, Secretary General Fleuroselect
Hotel
Room for single use, breakfast included: GBP 120 per night, VAT included.
Room for double use, breakfast included: GBP 140 per night, VAT included.
These rates apply for the convention dates only, the night before or afterwards might have a different rate.
How to book a room?
Contact the hotel directly via +44 1206 262836 and have your credit card ready. The reception desk will ask for your name, contact details, length of stay and if the room will be for single or double use. You will then be asked for the details of your credit card, the payment will be done directly while you are on the phone. You will receive a confirmation e-mail straight after your booking.
How to get there?
If you travel by plane, it is best to fly to London Stansted and rent a car or book a taxi to the hotel. The drive takes approx. 40 min. From Hook of Holland, the ferry brings you to Harwich which is approx. 30 min. from Colchester. If you travel by EuroStar, you need to change train stations in London (from St-Pancras to Liverpool Street) where you can take a direct train to Colchester.
Overview local taxi companies
Programme
Monday 3th July 2023
09:00 Optional industry visit to Kerley & Co
16:00 Welcome desk opens
18:00 Get-together drinks at Hotel Stoke by Nayland Resort, Colchester
19:00 Get-together dinner
21:00 Dinner ends
Tuesday 4th July 2023
08:30 Departure by bus from hotel
09:45 Arrival at Mr Fothergill’s in Newmarket
09:50 Coffee
10:15 Visit of trial gardens and guided tour at Mr Fothergills
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Departure by bus to RHS Hyde Hall
14:30 Arrival at RHS Hyde Hall
15:00 Annual General Meeting in Hilltop Lodge
17:00 Coffee Break
17:30 Guided tours to Vegetable/Herb trials and to Floral Fantasia with Salvia Trial,
Gold Medal & FleuroStar Winners
19:00 Drinks at Hilltop Lodge
20:00 Dinner at Hilltop Lodge
21:30 Bus leaves to hotel
22:30 Arrival at hotel
Wednesday 5th July 2023
09:00 Keynote speech by Fergus Garrett in hotel
10:15 Departure by bus to Floranova
12:00 Lunch at Floranova
13:00 Visit trial fields at Floranova
15:00 Bus returns to hotel
16:30 Arrival at hotel
17:30 Departure by bus to Priory Hall
18:00 Drinks reception in the garden
19:00 Closing Dinner
22:00 Bus returns to hotel
22:30 Afterparty at Hotel
01:00 End
Thursday 6th July 2023
10:00 Optional Fleuroselect Golf Day or industry visit to David Kerley