TVs Chris Beardshaw hunts for new scholar
Budding garden designers are set to compete to win a prize of a lifetime: a year working alongside celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw.
Chris, the former BBC Flying Gardener and Gardeners’ World presenter, is looking for a new apprentice. His scheme, called The Chris Beardshaw Mentoring Scholarship, picks just one scholar each year - a keen gardener who’s keen to turn their passion for plants into a professional design career.
The experience, estimated to be worth over 25,000, includes mentoring and teaching, while the winner will stage gardens at the Malvern Autumn Show 2011 and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2012. Chris, a Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time panellist, said: “2011 is the fourth year of the scholarship, a project the team is very proud of and we believe has produced excellent designers for the future. “There is nothing like it in the industry and the aim is to help address the lack of emerging talent and skills within the horticultural sector by nurturing design potential to develop talented designers of tomorrow.”
A spokeswoman for the scholarship, which is sponsored by Bradstone, added: “Entrants do not have to be trained garden designers. The current scholar, Maria Luisa Medina does not have any formal design training. What matters is creativity, willingness to learn and dedication to work in the garden design sector.”
The scheme usually attracts 30 to 40 applicants. Those shortlisted will build a small garden at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show in May, where the winner is announced. Applications for the 2011 scholarship must be received by 1 October 2010. Go to www.chrisbeardshaw.com/scholarship.asp for details of how to apply.
