How green is our Arley?

4:19pm Monday 30th June 2008

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GARDEN enthusiasts headed for Arley at the weekend for a two-day celebration of all things horticultural.

The 14th annual Arley Garden Festival showcased a riot of glorious summer colour from a huge variety of nurseries, gave gardeners chance to quiz experts about their green-fingered troubles and even gave young horticulturalists chance to shine.

It never fails to amaze me just how enthusiastic children are when it comes to growing plants

TV gardener Chris Beardshaw

Nine north west schools joined in the event’s first schools garden challenge, judged by TV gardener Chris Beardshaw who spent Sunday at the show.

Each school, including Antrobus St Marks, Barnton, Great Budworth, Whitley and The Russett School in Weaverham, spent months working on a themed flower bed for the festival, with Appleton Thorn Primary School declared the winner.

But in an exclusive interview with the Guardian, Chris said he was impressed with all of the displays.

“In terms of what’s been produced at the show, it never fails to amaze me just how enthusiastic children are when it comes to growing plants,” he said.

“They become completely absorbed in the whole process and it opens up so many opportunities.

“I’m a great believer in the fact that children should be exposed to gardening at a very early age because it will never leave them in terms of nurturing plants, the responsibility for the plants and the necessary environment.

“Whether they become a professional gardener or just garden as a hobby I think it’s essential all children are given this opportunity.

“For a lot of children who don’t necessarily perform in an academic environment, gardening and growing something is a way to excel and express themselves – it’s fantastic.”

He added: “Arley is a great venue for this kind of activity – it’s a really relaxed atmosphere and we can start to encourage children at shows like this and they’ll go on to great things in the future.”