TOBY BUCKLAND
Toby Buckland hosts the festival annually and is a qualified horticulturist, author and a regular broadcaster for BBC One and Two’s presenting team from RHS Chelsea Flowershow. In 2014 Toby joined forces with Country Gardener Magazine to create Toby’s Garden Festival to champion the smaller, specialist nurseries. The first Garden Festival took place at Powderham Castle near Exeter to popular acclaim and is now a premier gardening event in the South West.
Now you can join him and get in touch every Sunday from 10am to 2pm on BBC Radio Devon (and BBC Sounds) for his popular gardening show. Toby’s giving talks both days, and will be out and about saying hello to visitors.
Rachel de Thame
BBC TV presenter, garden writer and columnist Rachel de Thame and award-winning presenter for BBC’s Gardener’s World Sue Kent will head up the speakers at our 10th anniversary event.
As well as hosting BBC Two’s flagship gardening show Gardener’s World, Rachel co-hosts all the major RHS gardening shows for the BBC including The Chelsea Flower Show. Rachel will be with us on Saturday 4th May.
Sue Kent
Sue is an award-winning presenter, an RHS Ambassador for disability and an RHS and Gardener’s World Live Garden design medal winner who will be at Powderham on Friday 3rd May. Sue is a hugely engaging presenter and live events are interesting, fun and informative.
Jacquie Felix-Mitchell
Also booked in to speak at the anniversary show is Jacquie is the founder of Oasis Garden Design, an artisan garden design studio based in Devon with a huge following throughout the county and was so popular with our visitors for this year’s festival.
Becky Searle
Also back with us is Becky Searle, an ecologist, botanist and kitchen gardener best known for combining science with gardening and her passion for soil.
DAN FARRELL-WRIGHT
We are delighted to be able to welcome back to the festival online wine merchant, Wickhams, our festival sponsor, again popping the cork on a whole range of exciting new attractions for visitors.
Wickham’s owner Dan Farrell-Wright will again host a new wine zone in the Castle dining room where you can sample and buy wine from Devon, England and abroad, and meet other growers and makers.
Dan and Wickhams wine expert, Pip Vanham, will also be giving talks where you can hone your knowledge of wine pairing and get expert advice on grape varieties, terroir and tastings.
Wickhams are an award winning independent wine merchant, discovering wines from great vineyards all around the world. Last year Wickhams was awarded the title “Best Specialist Merchant England” by the International Wine Challenge.
Their list evolves over time with something for all tastes and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a great value, everyday bottle to drink on the sofa mid-week, or a bottle to make an occasion extra special, you’ll find something to suit.
A special focus is placed on finding producers who have strong stories and strong ethics, with sustainability and diversity at the forefront. Delivery is available to mainland UK with all orders packed in 100% recyclable packaging. Orders over £40 are shipped free of charge.
