Prince George joins the “grow-your-own” generation!
Little Prince George was invited to become Britain’s youngest grow-your-own enthusiast today as “granny” and “grandpa” joined thousands of food fans seeking the good life!
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were headline guests as The Edible Garden Show, Britain’s only national event dedicated exclusively to growing your own fruit and vegetables, moved its myriad of seeds, wheelbarrows, sheds and all things green to London for the first time.
The show features all aspects of the ‘Good Life’ with stacks of information and guidance on sustainability and environmentally friendly growing. Stands included beekeeping and poultry care, cider making, bread making and edible flowers.
The royal couple were clearly in jovial mood as they toured exhibition stands at Alexandra Palace, where visitors from all over Britain sought the latest and brightest gardening equipment and tips.
The Prince of Wales – one of the UK’s best-known healthy eating enthusiasts – and his wife were even presented with a mini wheelbarrow, watering can and ‘grow-your-own’ kit, to pass on to their green-fingered young grandson, Prince George.
They chatted enthusiastically to visitors, paying particular attention to the hundreds of children in the crowd – but with the Duchess also finding time to try her hand at bread making in the Maldon sea salt Cookery Theatre and the Prince getting up close and personal with chicks, turkeys and other domestic fowl.
The Prince and Duchess met high-profile contributors to the annual show including botanist and award-winning gardener James Wong, prolific author Pippa Greenwood and former Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins. They were also introduced to panellists on the BBC’s long-running radio show Gardeners’ Questions Time, which was recording a programme at the event.
The royal party went on to chat to participants in an exciting new initiative, organised jointly by the show’s organisers and charity School Food Matters, which had challenged London pupils to design an edible garden – and which saw over 100 schools registering to enter. The Prince of Wales presented a certificate to the winner, Thomas Fairchild Community School in Hackney, which also secured thousands of pounds worth of gardening equipment vouchers donated by Morrisons.
Stephanie Wood, Founder Director of School Food Matters, said: “This has been enormously exciting. The competition has created a real buzz of excitement among the children. When we found out about Charles and Camilla it’s obviously added a huge dimension to the day.”
The Prince even demonstrated his parenting and grand-parenting skills as he met visitor Veronika Luksova, from Winchmore Hill, London, and her excited son, Reece. Prince Charles stopped in front of the couple, then pretended to hypnotise the one-year-old with the words “You are in my power”.
Veronika, who was attending the show with her partner Scott Radway, said: “He was charming, absolutely charming. He said he knew the feeling when Reece screamed! He calmed down my baby without even touching him.”
Meanwhile the Duchess disclosed a few of her dietary favourites as she chatted to exhibitors. She admitted to being a fan of spelt bread, while Rachael Voaden, owner of The Edible Flower Shop in Lapford, said: “She really seemed to be enjoying the show very much. She was particularly interested in our crystallised flowers and said she might pop in and see me the next time she’s in Devon.”
Michael Messina, owner and inventor of pest control device The Slug Bell, was among exhibitors who met the Prince of Wales. He said: “It’s a fantastic honour. The prince has written to me in the past after I sent him one of my inventions. Today is just the icing on the cake.”
Launched in 2011, The Edible Garden Show has tapped into the runaway popularity of home-grown produce and healthy eating. Exhibitors, special demonstrations and an Experts’ Panel offer advice on everything from the latest gadgets and beating unwanted pests to how to cook your mouth-watering produce.
This year’s gathering, which continues until Sunday, features a host of star names, with James Wong, Chris Collins and Pippa Greenwood joined by the BBC’s One Show regular Christine Walkden, as well as internationally famous chef Raymond Blanc on the Friday and popular TV chef Phil Vickery on the Saturday.
The Edible Garden Show, which has transferred to London from its previous home in the Midlands, welcomed the panel of Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time for the third time in four years, with green-fingered gurus Eric Robson, Bunny Guinness, Chris Beardshaw and Bob Flowerdew on hand to answer the audience’s questions.
The show’s PR Director Paul Smith said: “The move to London has seen The Edible Garden Show go from strength to strength and has reinforced its reputation as a must-visit event for the UK’s gardeners. Being able to welcome the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall has been an unbelievable honour.
“We know the royal couple share our great passion for ‘grow your own’, and we just hope we’ve done our bit to encourage little Prince George to become the next generation of green-fingered royals!”
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