RHS Malvern Spring Festival today announced Chris Beardshaw as its new ambassador more than 20 years after he created his first show garden at the event.
In this exciting new role Chris will help to promote the show – a favourite among Britain’s gardeners for launching the spring season.
Held at the Three Counties Showground in Worcestershire, one of horticulture’s most popular venues thanks to its setting at the foot of the spectacular Malvern Hills, the 2020 show will run from 7-10 May.
Chris, who grew up locally in Worcestershire, has been a regular at Malvern Spring Show for over 20 years, where he has appeared in a variety of roles, from exhibiting with his students from Pershore College, designing show gardens to scholarship mentor, RHS judge and speaker.
His first show garden was exhibited at Malvern Spring Festival in 1999 and he has since been awarded 13 RHS gold medals and 6 times Best in Show.
In his new role as Ambassador, Chris is helping to celebrate all that is unique and great about the Festival. He is also looking at developing several exciting new initiatives, for which more details for will be announced in early Spring 2020.
Speaking about his new role, Chris said: “To be asked to be an ambassador for my local show is a real honour. I have been involved in gardening events across the UK and around world, in a variety of roles which has given me a range of show experiences from a number of different perspectives.
“I am really looking forward to flying the flag for the show and helping to attract gardeners and plant lovers from throughout the UK to come and visit us. We are also working with the show’s team in the development of some interesting new ideas which will confirm Malvern Spring Festival as the very best family day out in the gardening calendar.”
Head of Shows at Malvern Diana Walton said today they were absolutely thrilled that Chris had taken on this new role to further enhance a relationship which had grown and flourished so wonderfully over the last two decades.
“Chris is a particular favourite at Malvern – with our team as much as visitors. We have all watched his career progress so successfully from those first beginnings. He understands this show so well and how we are the breaking ground for lots of new talent and starting point for much of the work done in the garden over the spring and summer months. I know he will be a wonderful ambassador and we are very excited to be working with him.”