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.
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.
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:
The Peter Seabrook Practical Book of the YearNew Wild Garden, 2016;
New Kitchen Garden, 2015;
The Cut Flower Patch, 2014;
RHS Grow your own Crops in Pots, 2013
Reference Book of the YearThe 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 YearJames Sowerby, 2016;
The Irish Garden, 2015;
The English Country House Garden, 2014;
The New English Garden, 2013
Garden Publication of the YearBBC Gardeners' World Magazine, 2016;
Gardens Illustrated, 2015;
Gardens Illustrated, 2014;
BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, 2013
The Dr David Hessayon Garden Columnist of the Year AwardSarah Price, 2016; Alys Fowler, 2015; Alan Titchmarsh, 2014; Alys Fowler, 2013
News Story of the YearVal Bourne, 2016; Marc Rosenberg, 2015; Matthew Appleby, 2014, Ian Hodgson, 2013
Journalist of the YearAnna Pavord, 2016; Ambra Edwards, 2015; Val Bourne, 2014; Matthew Wilson, 2013
Practical Journalist of the YearTerry Walton, 2016; Kay Maguire, 2015; Charles Dowding, 2014; Guy Barter, 2013
Trade Journalist of the YearDarryl Moore, 2016; Jane Perrone, 2015; Lucy Summers, 2014; Sarah Cosgrove, 2013
The Gordon Rae Photographer of the Year AwardGillian Plummer, 2016; Jürgen Becker, 2015; Jason Ingram, 2014; Jason Ingram, 2013
Features Photographer of the YearJason Ingram, 2016; Andrew Montgomery, 2015; Clive Nichols, 2014; Marianne Majerus, 2013
Book Photographer of the YearClive Nichols 2016; Marianne Majerus, 2015; Andrea Jones, 2014; Mark Diacono, 2013
The Roy Lancaster Television Broadcast of the YearGardeners’ World Tx7, 2016;
Gardeners' World, 2015;
Great British Garden Revival – Topiary & Roof Gardens, 2014;
Monty Don’s French Gardens, 2013
Radio Broadcast of the YearThe 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 AwardCarolyn 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 AwardMatt 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 YearAde 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 YearElspeth 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 YearLucy 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
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, was given a special award by the Guild for his contribution to gardening and environmental issues.
