Marian Foster receives horticulture award for community work

The award recognises her 'tireless promotion of community horticulture' in the north of England.

Ms Foster, who is recognised for her long-standing role as host of BBC Radio Newcastle’s 'Garden Mania', received the commendation from Northern Branch chairman Clive Parker.

The award was presented at the Northumbria in Bloom Awards presentation at The Fed, Gateshead, on Wednesday, September 18, where Ms Foster was the compere.

She has been a champion of community horticulture through her work as a judge and assessor with Northumbria in Bloom, encouraging sustainable improvements to local environments.

Marian Foster presented the chat show 'Pebble Mill at One' for 14 years and regularly broadcasted from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (Image: Marian Foster/BBC)

Her broadcasting career includes presenting the BBC1 afternoon chat show 'Pebble Mill at One' for 14 years, from 1972 to 1986, and regularly broadcasting from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

For more than 20 years, Ms Foster has presented her weekly 'Garden Mania' programme on BBC Radio Newcastle, now also broadcast on BBC Radio Tees.

Through this medium, she has been a promoter of community horticulture, planet-friendly gardening, and environmental issues.

Clive Parker, chairman of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture Northern Branch, said: "I have had the privilege to work with Marian recently as the powerhouse behind the 'Garden Mania' programme on BBC Radio Newcastle on Sunday mornings.

"As a stand-in gardening expert, I witnessed her masterly command of the broadcast: making sure I knew exactly what I was required to do.

"And I know that she takes every opportunity to promote gardening and community engagement whenever she can, making a positive difference to communities in our area."

In 2018, Ms Foster, alongside John Guy, handed out awards and fielded questions from visitors at the Corbridge Village Show.