Gardener, broadcaster (and fellow northerner!) Christine Walkden is a familiar face on British television. She is known for her appearances on The One Show and has hosted numerous programmes, such as Christine’s Garden, the Great British Garden Revival and Gardens From Above. Her talk at NiddFest promises to be as funny as it is informative and is our closing event at NiddFest 2016. We’re delighted Christine is coming to join us.
Christine will be talking at 4pm, Sunday August 7th, Memorial Hall, Pateley Bridge. Booking essential.
Here are her replies to our Q&A:
1. What is your earliest memory of the natural world?
As a child I was taken into the lovely countryside around the Ribble Valley from as long as I can remember.
2. Did you always want to be a writer?
Never ever thought about it. I have written since I was young as many people asked me to do things for them. I was the secretary of the local horticultural society when I was 13! I wrote articles on my allotment and just did it. I have never said to myself, I want to be a writer.
3. Who were the authors or who inspired you to start writing?
I am not aware of any particular author inspiring me. I read gardening books when I was young written by people like Percy Thrower, David Hessayon, Roy Lancaster and studied Floras of the world.
4. Do you have a favorite place or landscape?
I love the Ribble Valley and the Trough of Bowland.
5. How do you feel about the state of the natural world today?
Sad that man does not respect his surrounding.
6. Do you have a motto?
No
7. What are you working on at the moment?
My lecture tours, garden visits, material for TV work. Training projects, consultancies.
8. What are your three ‘desert island’ reads and why?
It would have to be various flora of the world as these would remind me of the fantastic plants and countries I have seen.