I hope you'll excuse me if for one blog only I take you out of the garden and into a big function room in London packed with the great and good of gardening.
You see, a couple of weeks ago, I had an email to say that I had been shortlisted for the national Garden Media Guild's New Talent award for my RSPB Gardening for Wildlife book. Would I like to come along to the awards ceremony in London?
Well, I was chuffed enough to be short-listed, and the meal sounded nice ;-) So on Wednesday I braved the snowy railways to go to what they call the gardening Oscars. There were about 300 folk there - the likes of Alys Fowler and Joe Swift and Peter Seabrook et al. (You'll be pleased to know I didn't succumb to that thing of 'Can I have your photograph/autograph please?")
I was absolutely convinced that award winners must know in advance, so you can imagine my shock when my name was called. I thought I had misheard it, and had to twice ask the gentleman next to me if it was me. I was joint winner with Dawn Isaac from The Guardian Weekend. (The photo to the left is the book on the winners' 'podium'. If you really want to see proof that I was there, check out the Garden Media Guild website here).
But what capped it all off was getting to meet Chris Baines, who to my mind is the godfather of wildlife gardening. His 1985 book "How to make a wildlife garden" is still a bestseller, and rightly so - I feel he has done more than anyone to bring the attention of wildlife gardening to the masses.
So I'm sat here still with the same big grin on my face you can see on their website, but also with a fire in my belly to continue to strive to do as much as I can to help make Britain's gardens great for wildlife. Bring it on!
If you want to drop by my RSPB wildlife gardening blog, it is updated every Friday, and I'd love to see you there - www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw
Adrian, what an accolade. Well done indeed.
Do you know anyone who might buy it for me for Christmas?
When thou seest an eagle, thou seest a portion of genius; lift up thy head!
Well done Adrian! Fantastic! You put so much hard work and passion into everything you do. You truly are a brilliant ambassador for RSPB and wildlife.
Gill, Joan and George
Friends of the North Kent Marshes
Wow Adrian that's brilliant news-well deserved too!! I have often flicked through your book on our shelf in the Leighton Moss shop and have been amazed at the work that you put into it. I have been meaning for a while to treat myself and you've now reminded me I'll go put it on my santas wish list!! Congratulations :-)
Congratulations, really brilliant news and well deserved. I also admire Chris Baines and own his book.He is one of the, very few, famous people I would be interested in meeting. I didn't know Adrian had written a book and because of his posts here and Wildlife Friendly's excellent recommendation I am going to look out for it on Amazon.
Kind regards Jane.
Congratulations Adrian, a well deserved award.
Well what can I say about Adrian’s book except if you haven’t bought a copy you should. It’s not just another glossy book jumping on the wildlife/gardening bandwagon, it’s cover to cover of useful information, great photos and written in an interesting style with a good dollop of humour. Before you ask, I don’t know Adrian or do I have anything to do with his book, I just enjoy my wildlife and reading this blog.
Build it and they will come.