Coronavirus: RHS cancels Chatsworth Flower Show - and pulls Chelsea event ‘for first time since Second World War’

The Royal Horticultural Society has announced that it has cancelled the major Chatsworth and Chelsea Flower Shows – along with other events – ‘with immediate effect’ amid the fight against coronavirus.
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With the Government no longer supporting mass gathering events due to the impact on emergency services and heightened actions to encourage social distancing, the following RHS shows will no longer take place in 2020:

- RHS London Spring Launch & Orchid Show, 7-8 April

- RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show, 17-18 April

Many events have been cancelled.Many events have been cancelled.
Many events have been cancelled.

- RHS Flower Show Cardiff, 17-19 April

- RHS Malvern Spring Festival, 7–10 May

- RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 19–23 May

- RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, 11–14 June

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- RHS Garden Harlow Carr Flower Show, 26-28 June (the RHS will investigate if the Harlow Carr Flower Show can be moved into July)

A spokesperson said: “We will be in touch with everyone who has purchased a ticket to any of the cancelled RHS Shows offering them a full refund.

“We are therefore asking that ticket holders please refrain from contacting us immediately, except in an emergency, so that we can continue to handle this situation as swiftly as possible.

“We will be contacting everyone involved in the shows about the cancellation of these events.

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“One of the many reasons why we cannot postpone any of these large events to later in the year is that most of the thousands of plants grown for these shows are chosen because they are at their best in spring.

“This is the first time the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been cancelled since the Second World War.

“We know this will be very sad and disappointing news for all involved with our shows, as well as for our members and visitors who have purchased tickets and enjoy our shows every year.

“Our four RHS gardens – RHS Garden Wisley, RHS Garden Hyde Hall, RHS Garden Harlow Carr and RHS Garden Rosemoor – remain open.

“However, all garden events and school visits will be cancelled with immediate effect until June 30. If Government guidance changes, we will of course react immediately.”