BUDDING gardeners from Worcestershire took part in a workshop run by a popular BBC Blue Peter gardener ahead of next year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival.
Primary school children from across the county immersed themselves in an action packed day of inspiring advice and guidance from Chris Collins prior to the three-day extravaganza which starts on Thursday, May 11.
The aspiring young gardeners will now prepare their own designs over the coming months in readiness for the festival’s School Gardens Challenge on Wednesday, May 10.
Chris said: “I’m delighted to be taking up the post as School Gardens Champion for my third year.
“RHS Malvern Spring Festival is really paving the way for introducing gardening into the curriculum and the School Gardens Challenge is a fantastic way to take education outside of the classroom.
“I can’t wait to be involved for another year and see the variety of designs come to life.”
The Spring Festival is one of the only RHS shows in the UK to have a collection of Show Gardens which are designed and built by young people and this year sees more than 12 schools and education groups taking part.
Each group will create gardens on the theme of ‘Space’ to celebrate the 350th anniversary of Sir Isaac Newton’s groundbreaking discovery of gravity alongside the 60th anniversary of the launch of the world’s fastest satellite – Sputnik.
Building of the school Show Gardens will start at the end of April next year and will take about one week to build. Schools taking part include Malvern Wells Primary School.
RHS experts will then judge the gardens on Wednesday, May 10 prior to the festival opening to the public the following day.
Ken Nottage, chief executive of Three Counties, said: “We are deeply passionate about engaging the next generation of gardeners in the amazing world of horticulture.
“We can’t wait to see what 2017 will bring and have no doubt the designs will be just as glorious as seen previously.”
For further information about the Spring Festival and to buy tickets, visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk.
