BLUE Peter’s former gardener has joined a Ryton-based charity to champion sustainable organic growing.
Garden Organic, formerly known as the Henry Doubleday Research Association and based at Ryton Organic Gardens, has appointed Chris Collins as Head of Organic Horticulture.
Chris is a familiar face to green-fingered telly addicts, having hosted BBC2 series The Plantsman in 2002 before spending nine years as the resident gardener on the long-running children’s magazine show.
Until recently the Head Gardener at Westminster Abbey, Chris has also appeared on The Chelsea Flower Show, Gardeners’ World, This Morning, Secret Gardens and his own BBC4 documentary Wonder of Weeds.
And now Garden Organic has appointed Chris as its ‘voice’ – raising awareness of the work they do and the importance of organic and sustainable growing.
And he says over 30 years of experience working as a professional horticulturalist – from Africa’s oldest botanical gardens in Cameroon to Japanese roof gardens, via Kew Gardens and Westminster Abbey – means he understands the challenges facing organic growers, and also the benefits they can reap.
He said: “It is a great honour for me to be joining the team at Garden Organic.
“I am a passionate believer in organic horticulture, not only for the environmental benefits it offers, but also for the role it can play in people’s social and spiritual wellbeing.
“Garden Organic’s principles and practices provide the perfect vehicle to engage people in this valuable subject.
James Campbell, the charity’s Chief Executive, said the appointment was an exciting new chapter.
He said: “With more and more of our population concerned about the chemical pesticides and herbicides we encounter every day, our charity needs to support people now more than ever in discovering that there is a better way – and we’re confident Chris is the perfect person to help us deliver this message.”
Chris will represent the charity by communicating key growing information, presenting at events, campaigning and helping redesign Ryton Organic Gardens.
Chris will start in the role in September 2016.
