Ness Gardens is one of England’s major botanic gardens and was donated to the University in 1948
Ness Gardens will host BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time in September, as part of the station’s first North West based Summer Garden Party.
The popular horticultural show’s panel of well-known gardening experts; Chair, Eric Robson, Peter Gibb, Bob Flowerdew, Pippa Greenwood, Bunny Guinness, Matthew Wilson, Chris Beardshaw, Matthew Banks, Anne Swithenbank and Christine Walkden, will all be present at the event on Saturday September 8.
Throughout the day, members of the panel will deliver a series of demonstrations and drop in clinics around Ness, giving enthusiasts the chance to pick up tips.
Kevin Reid, Director of Ness Gardens said: “We are delighted to be able to showcase Ness Gardens in all its glory this September and I would urge garden enthusiasts from across the North West to come along for what will be a very special event. Apart from the splendid turnout of experts, we are planning our own home-grown activities, including a variety of interesting garden tours and demonstrations which will provide a fantastic and memorable show for everyone.”
Two recording sessions for the show will take place during the day, at approximately 11am and 3pm. The audience will be able to ask questions and pick up gardening suggestions, solutions and advice from the panel of expert gardeners. The morning show will become the Summer Party programme and the afternoon show will follow the familiar Gardeners’ Question Time format. The two recordings will be broadcast on September 14 and 21.
Pippa Probart’s ‘Making Waves’ design is now open at Ness
The BBC’s arrival follows success for Ness Gardens at the RHS Tatton Park Show. Pippa Probart picked up a Silver Gilt for her ‘Making Waves – A Taste of Ness’ creation and the accompanying ‘Making Waves’ garden is now open at the South Wirral site. Both designs aim to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Friends of Ness Gardens group.
Tickets for BBC Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time Summer Garden Party, taking place at Ness on Saturday September 8 between 10am and 6pm, are priced £6.50 and are available by phone, online or at the Visitor Centre.
Visit www.nessgardens.org.uk or call 0845 030 4063
What a fantastic day! Congratulations to the team at Ness….a day wasn’t long enough to pack in everything the programme and the culinary delights had to offer in such beautiful surroundings with informed and friendly presenters. More please:)
Dear Gaynor,
Thank you for your kind comments on the Gardeners’ Question Time Summer party on Saturday which I will pass on to our staff and volunteers. We were delighted that our submission to the BBC Radio 4 to bring this event to the North West was successful and Ness as the first university botanic garden to host this event. The audience totalled over 2,000 which is the biggest ever for the BBC which is tremendous. We have been overwhelmed by the many positive comments we received on the day and telephone calls to the office and postings on Trip Advisor. We hope the BBC might return again in the future.
Of course you can enjoy your free entry to the gardens as a member of staff with your family and friends – so hope to see you again soon, you will always find a ‘welcome on the mat’!
Kind regards,
Kevin Reid
Director
Ness Botanic Gardens