Normally, I am a strong supporter of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), but I regret to write that there is an area that discriminates against RHS members, which is when booking in a group. Members pay over £40 subscription per annum to be allowed in to certain gardens free of charge; however this only applies if they make their own way to the garden. If they opt to go in a group, some of the gardens charge the normal entrance fee. Thus the member has to pay once to the RHS for membership and again to enter the garden. Of course, all garden owners welcome groups because it means increased sales and, to be fair, most gardens do honour their commitment to let RHS members in free, but beware, some do not.

I took a group to a garden recently and the day proved very distressing with two ladies trying to exercise their rights by entering the garden free as members. Understandably, I tried to support them; however we ended up being thrown out, resulting in no sales and two less members for the RHS. May I suggest to other organisers that if they intend visiting RHS gardens, it may be worth their while to enquire before you go as to whether RHS members will be let in free. If they say everybody has to pay, including RHS members, then a lot of grief will be saved by going elsewhere.

Graham Block
Group Travel Organiser
Wood Street Horticultural Society, Surrey

GTO asked the RHS to respond:

The garden Mr Block visited was an RHS Recommended Garden. Access to these gardens is one of the many benefits of RHS membership. Running the Recommended Gardens scheme also helps to fulfil our charitable remit by supporting the horticultural heritage of this country’s many wonderful gardens.

The RHS does not own these gardens and the rules for group visits are intended to protect the interests of garden owners and RHS members alike. If large groups of RHS members were to enter one of the smaller gardens for free, the garden would quickly reach its capacity and would find itself with no income, despite the large number of visitors. This would be an unsustainable way to conduct business and gardens would withdraw from the scheme, leaving RHS members with fewer gardens to visit. All the rules for group garden visits are set out on p68 of the RHS Members’ Handbook, as well as the Affiliated Society Benefits Leaflet and Group Bookings brochure.

It is at the garden owner’s discretion whether or not to grant free access to groups of RHS members. On this occasion, Glen Chantry made it clear several times that all visitors would have to pay an entrance fee upon arrival at the garden and Mr Block was well aware of this before his group’s arrival. We understand that Mr Block and several members of the visiting party deliberately entered the garden without paying and responded in an abusive manner when challenged by the owners. It is for this reason that they were asked to leave. The garden owners were deeply distressed and, subsequently, have received letters from other members of the group expressing their sincere apologies for their fellow visitors’ behaviour.

We considered the matter resolved to Mr Block’s satisfaction, so it is regrettable that Mr Block has felt the need to further his grievance.

Rachel Coogan
Development Executive
Royal Horticultural Society, London