The Chelsea Fringe is a brand new Fringe festival for the whole of London and potentially the UK, to be held each year over three weeks in May and early June at the time of the Chelsea Flower Show, writes Tim Richardson.
The Fringe will be a complement to this famous show which is held annually in the grounds of Chelsea’s Royal Hospital off the King’s Road in west London.
The aim of the Chelsea Fringe is to encourage a much wider constituency of people to get involved with all the excitement around plants, flowers, gardens and gardening at this time of year.
We will facilitate and advise individuals and groups in the creation of exciting and innovative horticultural interventions, community initiatives, art happenings, walks, plant sales, talks, exhibitions and other events.
The idea is that the Fringe will push the boundaries of what is usually considered appropriate in the sphere of gardening, into areas such as eco-activism, art collaborations and spontaneous events.
The Royal Horticultural Society, organisers of Chelsea Flower Show, supports and endorses the independent Chelsea Fringe.
Projects now being considered include: pop-up garden installations in unexpected places; planted-up boats plying the Thames; guided walks (including ‘weed walks’ and foraging for edibles) which reveal the botanical riches of the capital; music and drama projects with a garden theme; micro-festivals in community gardens and allotments; a ‘Vegetable Olympics’…
This is just a taste – there is much, much more. Why not get involved with a project of your own?
Source: Landscape Juice – Plans for the Chelsea Fringe Unveiled
