Date – 3 September 2024
Time – 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
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‘Roots into Horticulture’ with CIH Grow Careers South will be taking place on 3rd September 2024 at Chiddingstone Castle.
Back for its third year, Roots is an all-day event connecting people and growing careers in horticulture, this time in conjunction with the CIH. We have a great line up of speakers yet again, ranging from planting and garden designers, to flower and vegetable farmers and garden photographers, as well as talks and guidance from professional trade and training bodies to help you make the next or first move in your horticulture career.
The event is set in the beautiful grounds of Chiddingstone Castle in Kent, a listed Historic House set in 35 acres of informal gardens with incredible views of the North Downs, and boasting a Victorian orangery, maze, courtyard rose garden, woodland and a serene fishing lake. A guided tour of the rose garden is included within the programme of talks.
Also featuring talks from the WRAG scheme on retraining in horticulture, and CIH on how joining a professional trade body can boost your career. Former students from Inchbald and the London College of Garden Design will be on hand to talk about the various design courses and their routes into business. It promises to be another great year of meeting new contacts in horticulture and exploring opportunities within this marvellous sector.
We are thrilled to announce our line up for this year’s Roots on Tuesday 3 September 2024. Along with a new venue and new all day format, we have the following amazing speakers:🌿@kalihamertonstove, inspirational founder of @theglasshousebotanics, a social enterprise offering second chances through horticultural training to women based in UK prisons. Kali and her team achieved a Chelsea Gold Medal this year for their beautiful exhibit, the first indoor garden designed and built by women in prison or recently released.
🌿 A Q&A session for those considering a career in planting design or garden design, with award winning planting designer @alexaryanmills alongside Kent based garden designer and Inchbald graduate @camerontrenddesign.
🌿Talks from @bloominggreen, Kent based florist and cut flower growers, on how they have successfully built their business over the past 12 years.
🌿@sam.frederick.taylor on retraining as a horticulturist and becoming a Kitchen Gardener and Tutor at world renowned restaurant @belmondlemanoir Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.
🌿@bennetsmith of Marianne Majerus Studio and @sophie_claire_gardens, both professional garden photographers on the importance and impact of the right images for building your online presence.
Along with many more! including @wfga_uk on how to retrain as a gardener and of course our partner @cihort on the benefits of joining a professional trade body.
All day refreshments and a picnic lunch are provided.
In terms of transport, the nearest train stations are Charcott (3 miles) and Edenbridge (4.5 miles). Please consider car sharing – there is car parking onsite (there is a £3 suggested donation to the Castle.
Members are eligible for a discounted ticket price – contact the secretariat for further information.