Nick Knowles Named as RHS Ambassador
Popular TV host Nick Knowles, best known for his presenting roles on the BBC, is to become a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Ambassador. As part of his new role, Nick will have a special focus on championing community gardening campaigns such as the UK's largest - RHS Britain in Bloom.
Since 1999, Nick has presented BBC One's DIY SOS, a series that relies on the power of people coming together to transform spaces. Nick also has a long-standing passion for community gardening and helped launch Urban Oasis - the central feature of RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2012 that championed the impact of community gardening.
At the start of National Gardening Week (14-20 April), Nick will help launch RHS Britain in Bloom 2014 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the campaign. With multi-RHS Gold medallist Adam Frost, on Monday 14 April he will join a community in Liverpool who transformed a neglected alleyway into a planted-up paradise that all the local residents use. Throughout the week, Bloom groups are sowing half a million sunflower seeds.
Nick says: "I am delighted to have been asked by the RHS to be one of their Ambassadors. Having worked for many years alongside passionate people in their communities, I have first-hand experience of the huge benefits that come from neighbours getting together to enhance an area. I've long been aware, and a fan, of Bloom and impressed by the incredible difference its hundreds and thousands of volunteers make to so many streets and neighbourhoods across the UK through growing plants and gardening. I am hugely looking forward to promoting the power of people getting together to transform their surroundings through gardening throughout the year, especially as it's the 50th anniversary of this wonderful campaign. I want to encourage more people to join Bloom and show that no matter what your level of gardening expertise you can get involved and make a positive difference to your community and neighbourhood."
Nick's appointment comes after the gardening charity announced in November that Alan Titchmarsh is its first Founder RHS Ambassador. Last month James Wong was revealed as the RHS Ambassador with a special focus on horticultural science.
RHS Head of Regional Development, Andrea Van Sittart, said: "We're thrilled that Nick has agreed to work alongside us to promote community gardening. He will help to inspire more people to garden together with their neighbours for the many benefits it brings to lives and livelihoods up and down the country. Nick will also help us to demonstrate that you don't have to be an expert gardener to join in with a Bloom group - just keen to learn, to grow plants and to beautify your surroundings.
"The impact of community gardening campaigns like RHS Britain in Bloom is significant. There are up to 300,000 passionate volunteers in towns, villages and cities across the UK who work year round transforming their areas. It is fantastic that Nick will help us champion the work of these extraordinary people and highlight the difference they've made. We hope his contribution will inspire even more people to do the same."