speakers & lecturers
If you're a member of a garden club, horticultural society or similar organisation looking for a speaker to give a talk to your members, staff and others, then look no further than the Garden Media Guild members who are speakers and lecturers.
Members of the Garden Media Guild are either well-known writers, authors, photographers, bloggers, social media influencers, or radio or TV presenters. Our directory provides a list of the most popular talks they give – although they may have more – their contact details and fees.
Please note
This is a service for clubs and societies, provided by the Guild. The Garden Media Guild is not responsible for the speakers in any way and we cannot enter into any conversations with the clubs, societies and speakers concerning bookings, or any other matter, or any dispute that may arise from any subsequent bookings.
How to use
You can either see the full list of our members who give talks – simply scroll down the page – or you can search for a speaker.
If you know the name of the speaker you are interested in, type their name in the search box below.
If you're looking for a speaker within a certain distance of your club or society, type your postcode in the box plus the maximum number of miles you're willing for them to travel to you. You can also use the Speaker’s Home Town/City search box.
If you're looking for a specific topic, type this in the Talk Topic box. A list of all the speakers who talk on this subject will be returned.
Showing 1-10 of 11
Virtual Talks Available
Richard Barnes
Writer, photographer, lecturer
Based in: Morpeth
Distance willing to travel: Within 100 miles of home, but greater distances by negotiation
Virtual talks available: Yes
Fees: From £90
Talks:
The Winter Garden
Plants From the Ends of the Earth
Unnatural Landscapes
Inspiration
It’s Not All About Plants
Plant and Garden Photography
Contact
Virtual Talks Available
Camilla Bassett-Smith
Writer, Radio broadcaster, TV broadcaster.
Based in: Gloucestershire
Distance willing to travel: Up to 30 miles
Virtual talks available: Yes
Fees: Negotiable
Talks:
Working in Gardening TV: behind the scenes of the BBC RHS Chelsea coverage & other programmes
Contact
Virtual Talks Available
Pip Bensley
Pip's experience in the horticultural world and the flower world give her excellent experience in which to base her talks.
Based in: Southampton
Distance willing to travel: Any
Virtual talks available: Yes
Fees: £130 plus 50p per mile for travel
Talks:
Chelsea Secrets - Behind the scenes at the Chelsea Flower Show
China - Judging an International Flower Arranging Show in Beijing
The Road to Winchester - Creating a flower festival at the Cathedral during Covid
Climbers - What you need to know when choosing climbers
Garden Snippets - Plants for flower arranging
Contact
Virtual Talks Available
Vanessa Berridge
Vanessa Berridge is a former magazine editor, an internationally published gardens writer and a published garden historian. She offers illustrated talks on many different aspects of garden history.
Based in: Winchcombe
Distance willing to travel: Round trip of 100 miles
Virtual talks available: Yes
Fees: £100 plus travelling expenses
Talks:
1. WHAT GARDENS TELL US ABOUT HISTORY
2. GREAT BRITISH GARDENERS
3. THE PRINCESS’S GARDEN: ROYAL INTRIGUE AND THE UNTOLD STORY OF KEW GARDENS
4. KIFTSGATE COURT GARDENS: THREE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN GARDENERS
5. BORDE HILL: A PLANT HUNTER’S PARADISE
6. GARDEN HEAVEN: INSPIRATION AND ESCAPISM FOR EVERY GARDENER
7. THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME AND THE GARDENS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Contact
Virtual Talks Available
Matthew Biggs
Gardener, Broadcaster, Writer and panel member on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time.
Based in: Hertfordshire
Distance willing to travel: Any
Virtual talks available: Yes
Fees: Variable
Talks:
Lessons from Great Botanists
Secrets of Great Gardeners
Dig for Victory
Wonders of The Botanical World
Garden - Exploring the Horticultural World
The Lobb Brothers – Plant Hunters extraordinaire
Perfect Plants for Problem Places
Contact
Virtual Talks Available
Judith Blacklock
Florist for 40 years, author of 17 books, magazine editor for 20 years, owner of the Judith Blacklock Flower School, lectured worldwide.
Based in: London
Distance willing to travel: On application.
Virtual talks available: Yes
Fees: On application.
Talks:
Anything subject relating to floral design and the floristry industry.
Contact
Bridget Blair
Based in: Leicestershire
Distance willing to travel:
Virtual talks available: No
Fees:
Talks:
Contact
Val Bourne
Experienced speaker- subjects on my website
Based in: Cheltenham
Distance willing to travel: 200 miles
Virtual talks available: No
Fees: negotiable
Talks:
on website
Contact
Helier BOWLING
I run Sows & Grows with a friend, teaching adults to grow cut flowers from seed. I sowed and grew a cutting garden at RHS Hampton Court Flower Festival 2022 for Alitex winning 5 gold stars. I have recently trained as a Garden Designer with KLC.
Based in: helierbowling@gmail.com
Distance willing to travel: 50 miles
Virtual talks available: No
Fees: £150 plus expenses
Talks:
Growing a Cutting Garden
Contact
Virtual Talks Available
Mandy Bradshaw
Garden writer, award-winning journalist, blogger and photographer.
Based in: Gloucestershire
Distance willing to travel: Negotiable
Virtual talks available: Yes
Fees: Available on request plus travel expenses
Talks:
Beyond the Garden Gate – my guide to Cotswold Gardens
Finding the Angle at Chelsea – a journalist’s view of the world-famous flower show
The Four Seasons – Cotswolds style
Developing an Eye for Spring Gardens – simple photography tricks.
Contact