Category : Factual
& Arts TV
Date : 27.04.2004
Printable version
Do you have
soil in your soul? If plants are your passion, composting is second
nature and you're never far from a pair of secateurs, the BBC would
like to hear from you.
Dedicated amateur gardeners who would like to use their horticultural
wisdom to help their local community are being encouraged to sign up
for the BBC Neighbourhood Gardener scheme being launched this Friday
- 30 April 2004 - on BBC TWO's Gardeners' World programme.
A garden mentor scheme similar to the highly successful United States
Master Gardener initiative, BBC Neighbourhood Gardener aims to create
a nation of better gardeners.
Volunteers offer their time and knowledge to help shape
gardens and garden projects in their local area.
At the same time they can become "amateur experts"
by enrolling on a range of courses at colleges around the country to
become a BBC Neighbourhood Gardener.
Piloted in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society at eight
horticultural institutions last year, the scheme has now been taken
up by more than 40 further and higher education colleges throughout
the UK.
In this Friday's Gardeners' World programme presenter Monty Don visits
a community garden in Cornwall to see the scheme in action.
Examples of the Master Gardener projects that BBC Neighbourhood
Gardener aims to emulate include:
Offering advice to schools and encouraging children
to develop their own gardens
Sharing composting methods
Advising families on growing fruit and vegetables
and becoming more self-sufficient
Developing and managing gardens with and for
the community
Running telephone hotlines offering advice on
all aspects of gardening
Answering gardening questions at shows and public
events
Instructing individuals on proper care of lawns,
shrubs, trees and flowers.
BBC Factual and Learning Executive Jill Pack says:
"BBC Neighbourhood Gardener builds on one of Britain's great passions.
"It's a new idea from the BBC with gardening education
at its heart.
"Amateur gardeners will be able to take short courses
to gain expertise and confidence to help their neighbours, friends and
community groups to become better gardeners.
"BBC Neighbourhood Gardener
will involve people of all ages, from all walks of life, and will help
to cultivate a sustainable network of local amateur gardening experts.
"BBC Neighbourhood Gardeners will pass on their
knowledge at shows, in schools, with families, in workshops and many
other places around their communities.
"Their projects will feature in BBC TWO's Gardeners'
World series and on BBC Local and Network Radio stations."
For information about how to become involved call 08000 150 950 or log
on to -
http://bbc.kongjiang.org/www.bbc.co.uk/neighbourhoodgardener
