Worcestershire
WR13 6NW UK
Tel: 01684 584900
For more information please contact:
Sharon Gilbert
Press & PR Manager
Telephone:
01684 584929
Fax:
01684 584930
E-mail: sharon@threecounties.co.uk
Editor's Notes:
The Malvern Spring Gardening Show is a fund raising event and a joint venture of the Three Counties Agricultural Society (Registered charity no: 511868) and the Royal Horticultural Society (No: 222879), and celebrates its 24th year in 2009.
Bradstone is an Aggregate Industries business, and a leader in the manufacture and supply of domestic paving, walling, edging, decorative aggregates and driveway products which are available nationally through a large number of DIY stores, builders’ merchants and garden centres.
Designers Go Head To Head in Scholarship Battle
Twelve budding garden designers, drawn from eleven counties, have made it to the first selection stage of a vocational garden design scheme, now in its second year.
The Chris Beardshaw Mentoring Scholarship, sponsored by Bradstone and supported by the Malvern Spring Gardening Show, has attracted another quality intake of would-be scholars, all in pursuit of a once in a lifetime, tailor-made package of design advice, work experience and business guidance, headed up by the award-winning garden designer and journalist himself.
Not only will they face the challenge of building a show garden for display to some 90,000 visitors at this year’s Malvern Spring Gardening Show (7 – 10 May 2009), but will each have to pitch their case, ‘Dragon’s Den’ style, to a judging panel and in front of a public audience, in the Design For Living Theatre, on First Day.
This year’s scholars come from all over the country; as far apart as Southampton and Newcastle upon Tyne, and from all walks of life; marketing, teaching, finance, architecture, administration and interior design.
They will come together for the first time on February 6 at Malvern, where they will meet Chris and representatives from the sponsor, Bradstone, to discuss their plans for the Spring Gardening Show, and get a feel for what the scholarship is all about.
‘Dance’ is the theme for 2009, and candidates have taken their inspiration from traditional English maypole dancing and nineteenth century music hall, the 70’s ‘Saturday Night Fever’ style disco scene and the Viennese Waltz!
Read more about The Chris Beardshaw Mentoring Scholarship 2009 Candidates and their designs.
Each of the gardens will be assessed by Malvern’s partner, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), but medals alone will not secure the scholarship. A judging panel made up of Chris, Ian Wright - Head of Marketing for Bradstone, and Head of RHS Shows Development, Bob Sweet, will also be looking for skill, passion, imagination and a real commitment and determination to carve out a career in the tough world of landscape design.
The winner will be announced in the theatre at Malvern the same day, and he or she will follow in the footsteps of 2008 scholar, Lindsay Anglin, from Bristol, who won an RHS Silver medal at last year’s Spring Gardening Show, and working closely with Chris, achieved an RHS Gold for her edible garden at the Malvern Autumn Show in September.
Lindsay, Chris and the scholarship team are now working hard to create a small garden for the Chelsea Flower Show.
Chris Beardshaw has been working in education for more than ten years, and said: “‘ I am passionate about raising the profile and awareness of the landscape design industry and this scheme is completely unique as it brings together key players in the industry who are all working together to fast track one individual.
The year-long 'journey' is aimed at preparing our new scholar for a professional career in landscape design. As much as it’s about design, however, it’s about the commercial aspects of being a garden designer too. Our new scholar will be introduced to the marketing and product development side of the business as well as learning how to get the most out of sponsorships and similar commercial partnerships.”
Applications are now invited for the Scholarship 2010. Readers interested in applying should go to www.bradstone.com/garden or call Nina Acton on 01684 584919.
For more information and interview opportunities, please contact:
Sharon Gilbert – Press & PR Manager
Three Counties Agricultural Society
Telephone: 01684 584929 (direct dial)
E-mail: sharon@threecounties.co.uk
Show Web Site and Box Office: www.threecounties.co.uk/springgardening
Ticket Hotline: +44 (0) 1684 584 900/924
Chris Beardshaw’s Office: + 44 (0) 1242 233 311
Web Site: www.chrisbeardshaw.com
PR Contact: Jane Southcott: +44 (0) 1275 852 026
E-mail: jane@janesouthcottpr.com
Bradstone: +44 (0) 1335 372491
Web Site: www.bradstone.com/garden
PR Contact: Clare Usher at Armadillo: +44 (0) 121 772 5533
Released: 03/02/2009