Garden Media Guild
The British Garden Media Guild, (formerly The Garden Writers' Guild), is a trade organisation for professional garden writers, journalists, photographers, broadcasters and members of allied trades. The Guild was established in 1991 to improve the quality of garden writing, photography and broadcasting by improving links between the gardening mass media and the horticultural industry and keeping its members up-to-date with events in the world of gardening and horticulture. The Guild also aims to help its members operate efficiently and profitably and improve liaisons between garden writers, photographers, publishers and more.
Full membership is restricted to those who have been published and are earning a significant level of income from their gardening and horticultural media activities, although Probationary membership can be given for up to three years to anyone seeking to establish themselves as professionals in this field. Associate membership can also be given to those employed in activities closely linked with horticulture and the garden media – examples being PR, marketing and publishing.
The Guild is run by a voluntary committee formed from its members. Its patrons are Alan Titchmarsh MBE, VMH, DL FCIHort, Peter Seabrook MBE, MoH, AH, VMH, FCIHort, Gordon Rae VMH, FCIHort and Roy Lancaster OBE, VMH, FCIHort, FLS.
Guild activities
The Guild's committee organises Briefing Days, during which the horticultural trade and Guild members are made aware of new developments and exchange views. A regular programme of garden visits gives members exclusive behind-the-scenes access to many UK gardens. Training is provided in key areas of horticultural media and publishing. The Guild publishes a quarterly magazine for members and a monthly e-newsletter.
The Professional Garden Photographers' Association (PGPA) is part of the Garden Media Guild. Members of the Guild who are photographers are able to join this Association of more than 100 professional garden photographers from across the UK, Europe, Japan and the USA.
GMG Awards
The Guild has held its prestigious Awards Lunch since 1992. The annual ceremony (currently held at the Savoy Hotel, London) takes place every November. Awards are made for outstanding contributions in the following categories:
Books
- The Peter Seabrook Practical Book of the Year
- New Wild Garden, 2016; New Kitchen Garden, 2015; The Cut Flower Patch, 2014; RHS Grow your own Crops in Pots, 2013
- Reference Book of the Year
- The Book of Pears, 2016; Claire Austin’s Book of Perennials, 2015; The Plant Lover’s Guide to Dahlias, 2014; RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening, 2013
- Inspirational Book of the Year
- James Sowerby, 2016; The Irish Garden, 2015; The English Country House Garden, 2014; The New English Garden, 2013
Press & Journalism Awards
- Garden Publication of the Year
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, 2016; Gardens Illustrated, 2015; Gardens Illustrated, 2014; BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, 2013
- The Dr David Hessayon Garden Columnist of the Year Award
- Sarah Price, 2016; Alys Fowler, 2015; Alan Titchmarsh, 2014; Alys Fowler, 2013
- News Story of the Year
- Val Bourne, 2016; Marc Rosenberg, 2015; Matthew Appleby, 2014, Ian Hodgson, 2013
- Journalist of the Year
- Anna Pavord, 2016; Ambra Edwards, 2015; Val Bourne, 2014; Matthew Wilson, 2013
- Practical Journalist of the Year
- Terry Walton, 2016; Kay Maguire, 2015; Charles Dowding, 2014; Guy Barter, 2013
- Trade Journalist of the Year
- Darryl Moore, 2016; Jane Perrone, 2015; Lucy Summers, 2014; Sarah Cosgrove, 2013
Photography
- The Gordon Rae Photographer of the Year Award
- Gillian Plummer, 2016; Jürgen Becker, 2015; Jason Ingram, 2014; Jason Ingram, 2013
- Features Photographer of the Year
- Jason Ingram, 2016; Andrew Montgomery, 2015; Clive Nichols, 2014; Marianne Majerus, 2013
- Book Photographer of the Year
- Clive Nichols 2016; Marianne Majerus, 2015; Andrea Jones, 2014; Mark Diacono, 2013
Broadcasting & Multimedia
- The Roy Lancaster Television Broadcast of the Year
- Gardeners’ World Tx7, 2016; Gardeners' World, 2015; Great British Garden Revival – Topiary & Roof Gardens, 2014; Monty Don’s French Gardens, 2013
- Radio Broadcast of the Year
- The RHS Exclusive Members’ Podcast, 2016; Sow, Grow, Repeat (Alys Fowler, Jane Perrone & Alice Williams), 2015; James and the Giant Atlas Cedars (James Aldred & Sarah Blunt), 2014; Gardeners’ Corner (Cherrie McIlwaine), 2013
- Environmental Award
- Carolyn Fry, Seeds: Safeguarding our Future, 2016; Helen Bostock, Plants for Bugs, The Garden, 2015; Stephanie Pain, Kew Magazine, 2014; Kate Bradbury, 2013
- The Alan Titchmarsh New Talent Award
- Matt Franks, The City Grower, 2016; Vicki Cooke, article on www.richardjacksonsgarden.co.uk, 2015; Lalage Snow, Edens beyond the razor wire, The Garden, 2014
- Blog of the Year
- Ade and Sophie Sellers, agentsoffield.com, 2016; David Marsden, theanxiousgardener.com, 2015; Graham Rice, transatlanticgardener.com, 2014; James Alexander-Sinclair blogs.crocus.co.uk/plantsmans, 2013
- Website of the Year
- Elspeth Briscoe, my-garden-school.com, 2016; Richard Jackson, richardjacksonsgarden.co.uk, 2015; Jim Ward, rhs.org.uk, 2014; Peter Clay, crocus.co.uk, 2013
- New Media of the Year
- Lucy Hall, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine digital edition, 2016; Lucy Hall, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine digital edition, 2015; George Williams, PlantSnapp App, 2014; James Alexander-Sinclair & Tiffany Daneff, iPad magazine app intoGardens
Special Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award (decided by a poll of Guild members)
- Past winners include: Peter Seabrook, Fred Whitsey, Graham Stuart Thomas, Rosemary Verey, Christopher Lloyd, Beth Chatto, Penelope Hobhouse, Geoff Amos, Jerry Harpur, Roy Lancaster, Joy Larkcom, Alan Titchmarsh, D. G. Hessayon, Geoffrey Smith, Ken Muir, Michael Warren, Peter Beales, Andrew Lawson, John Brookes, Nigel Colborn, Jekka McVicar, Stefan Buczacki, Christopher Brickell, Adrian Bloom and Jim McColl.
- In 2013, Charles, Prince of Wales,[1] was given a special award by the Guild for his contribution to gardening and environmental issues.
References
- ^ "Prince of Wales wins award for contribution to gardening and environmental issues". Daily Express. 2 December 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
External links
- The Garden Media Guild website
- The Professional Garden Photographers’ Association
- The Garden Media Guild Facebook page
- The Garden Media Guild twitter account
- http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/622952/Garden-Media-Guild-Alan-Titchmarsh-Peter-Seabrook-Roy-Lancaster-awards
- https://www.theguardian.com/gnm-press-office/2015/nov/30/the-guardian-wins-garden-media-guild-awards
- http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/409236/Garden-of-the-week-Capel-Manor-provides-inspiration-with-new-Garden-Media-Guild-design
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/production/factual/awards
- http://www.hortweek.com/adrian-bloom-wins-garden-media-guild-lifetime-achievement-award/ornamentals/article/1374786
- https://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/news/john-massey-receives-golden-nisse-award/