Kitchen Garden Forum

For the past few years i have been tempted to go to a thompson & morgan open day, but i live quite far away from ipswich, here in bristol. I would like to know if anyone has visited an open day, and what it is like, good value for money, discounts etc. I would be very greatful for your veiws, and perhaps this would give me a great big push to go there.

Hello GCS - sorry I can't help re the open days as I have never been to one but thought I would reply and then maybe someone else might see your query.

Is that another St Pirran flag I see

Sorry to be vague.. but I recall recently reading on another forum how disappointed someone was after going to a T&M open day. Apparently there were far fewer bargains than they anticipated.

Can't help with T&M open days but if it is their 'bargains!' you're interested in, you should sign up to their regular email newsletter as they frequently sent out details of mail order offers/reductions/clearance stuff.

John

Yes I have attended 2 open days. I am afraid to say that I cannot recomend you drive all the way from bristol unless on a weekend trip out then stay some where like Bury St Edmunds, take in the history and pay a visit to T&m's site. The first time I went the trials gardens were good, there was plenty on offer and it was free. The last time was last year and I was very very disapointed with the trial ground as it was so much smaller. They are there to make money and it cost £2 to get in redeemable if you bought £15 worth of seeds or more. Don't get me wrong the hanging basket displays were lovely but if they can't grow them then who can? Use the inter net as I got my seed spuds from them and they do have offers. Ther is in my opinion not a lot to bring someone all the way from Bristol. I live 50 miles away and will not bother again. Some like their seeds and swear by them. Kings are just as good and what a pitty they do not have open days. Sorry mate I cannot recommend them at all and I hope that someone from T&M reads this (Andrew Tokely hopefully) and takes note. A lot of people live locally and do go. That must speak for it on it's own. Up to you but my recommendation is don't bother and definately the distance you intend to travel. Over to you. It's your desicion.

AnneThomas wrote:Hello GCS - sorry I can't help re the open days as I have never been to one but thought I would reply and then maybe someone else might see your query.

Is that another St Pirran flag I see

Sorry to take so long to reply, thank you for your post i see i did work..

I see your from Liskard. i have been there a few times, wonderful place, and i must say the taxi driver we had last time had me in stiches.

st. pirran flag, a true cornish symbol.

lez wrote:Yes I have attended 2 open days. I am afraid to say that I cannot recomend you drive all the way from bristol unless on a weekend trip out then stay some where like Bury St Edmunds, take in the history and pay a visit to T&m's site. The first time I went the trials gardens were good, there was plenty on offer and it was free. The last time was last year and I was very very disapointed with the trial ground as it was so much smaller. They are there to make money and it cost £2 to get in redeemable if you bought £15 worth of seeds or more. Don't get me wrong the hanging basket displays were lovely but if they can't grow them then who can? Use the inter net as I got my seed spuds from them and they do have offers. Ther is in my opinion not a lot to bring someone all the way from Bristol. I live 50 miles away and will not bother again. Some like their seeds and swear by them. Kings are just as good and what a pitty they do not have open days. Sorry mate I cannot recommend them at all and I hope that someone from T&M reads this (Andrew Tokely hopefully) and takes note. A lot of people live locally and do go. That must speak for it on it's own. Up to you but my recommendation is don't bother and definately the distance you intend to travel. Over to you. It's your desicion.

Thank you for your advice, shocking to hear they dont grow there own displays. i do like there range and you can at times get very good offers, they usualy cant complete my order when taking up offers i have found. I dont think i will travel from bristol to go there now to be honest with you but if they have an open day/weekend when we are on holiday in july in great yarmouth then i may be tempted.

thank you

GCS, I think you will find that Lez was being mildly sarcastic rather than allegeing that T&M do not grow their own plants.

If they can not grow from their own seeds then who can?

I did not mean to be sarcastic on purpose but they want you to buy seeds so set up the optimum growing conditions to get you to buy. Bye the way GCS why St Piran? I was under the impression he was the patron saint of Cornwall? From another non-emmett