Video: TV gardener Chris Beardshaw gives York students green fingers

He is visiting York-based Askham Bryan College on a monthly basis to help advise four students who are hoping to represent the UK in the landscape gardening section of the 2011 World Skills competition. The College is the home of the WorldSkills UK Academy for Landscape Construction and the four are vying for the two places in the UK squad.

The competition takes place in London, in October when 1,000 young people from 50 countries will compete for gold silver and bronze medals in over 45 skills. In addition the students will also be working with Chris on exhibits at some of the country’s top flower shows, including the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Show in July.

Harry Turner, Askham Bryan College’s Landscape Manager and UK World Skills Training Manager, said: “Chris became involved in training the students after we competed at a number of flower shows last year, and his input is tremendously valuable. He’s a wonderfully knowledgeable and enthusiastic plantsman but also has the ability to explain that knowledge to the students.”

“He’s particularly concentrating on teaching them about ground preparation, plant selection and placing them in relation to other plants - all with the aim of our UK team producing a world-beating garden. Chris has also made it clear that he would like to be involved with us on a long-term basis, which would be hugely beneficial.”

Mr Beardshaw said: “The World Skills competition offers a platform to demonstrate the complex, subtle and wide range of skills required in the field of landscape gardening. I am really pleased to be working with the young men in this squad as they strive to achieve their goal of winning a medal at the world competition this October.”