RINGO STARR AT CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

Pictured top are regulars at Chelsea, Ringo Starr and Carol Klein. Also orchids and cabbages, roses and rhubarb - exotic plants and allotment veggies - they all appeared in their wonderful profusion yesterday at the VIP Preview at Chelsea at dawn yesterday. This was my 12th year (although I did interview Percy Thrower at Chelsea in 1980) and its fun meeting up with journo pals in the Media Tent, followed by non-stop snapping of stars and horticulturalists from around the world. The Celebrity list gets longer each year and a couple of hundred well known characters such as Gwyneth Paltrow, HRH Prince Albert of Monaca, Paul McKenna (with his mum) Piers Morgan, Nigel Slater, Terry Wogan, Julian Fellowes, Helen Mirren, Christopher Biggins and Will Young enjoyed the colour, atmosphere and music among gorgeously arrayed stands. Super friendly folk offered Champagne, strawberries and lots of cake and a real party atmosphere was evident. Oh - and I came back with some lovely cuttings and advice from the best gardeners in the world. Made some new friends, too! A wonderful first day at Chelsea.http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events tells you wht is happening and www.suite101.com (sylviakent)gives a few more photos