All About Me

Hi, my name’s George, I’m 18 and studying Environmental Science at Stirling University.

My passions are wildlife, gardening, conservation and hiking.

Before moving to Stirling, my hometown is at the foothills of the mighty Pennines and there I enjoyed many a walk on the moors, drawing inspiration from the unique habitat.


Gardening

Virtually all my garden experience has been from my home garden, with my Dad, but I also helped out at local community gardens & orchards. Our garden is a bit ‘higgledy piddley’ as it’s built into a hill, with 3 raised beds, where we grow veggies and herbs. We’ve got 2 small ponds, fruit trees & bushes and various shrubs and trees. There’s also a front, back & side yard with various growing spaces and a small greenhouse, where we start some plants off from seeds.

I’m a huge fan of Japanese Gardens and love how water can be used in landscaping. I get lots of inspiration from visiting show gardens and those belonging to country estates; though my best ideas come from the natural landscapes.


Wildlife

You name it, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, I love them all ! But if pushed, I suppose my biggest passion is for birds, in fact I’d say I was obsessed. My best day would be walking around a nature reserve, on a coastal walk or in the countryside. I once said on the way to a nature reserve, “If my heart had a face, it would be smiling right now, I was that excited”.

Spotting bee-eaters in Norfolk

RHS Young School Gardener of the Year 2014

In 2014, when I was 8, I won the RHS Young School Gardener of the Year  for my achievements in my Primary School Garden, at home and with the community group, Operation Farm.

Here I am receiving my award from Frances Tophill at RHS Garden Wisley. It was the most incredible day.

Frances Tophill presenting me with the RHS Young School Gardener of the Year 2014

It was a fantastic year. I met The Queen, went on The One Show and gave out an award at RHS Chelsea Flower Show .


RHS Ambassador 2015

Announced as Ambassador by Alan Titchmarsh

In October 2015 I was announced as the first ever RHS Young Ambassador; my job is to inspire other children to share my passion for gardening and the natural world. Since then I have spoken at the Houses of Parliament about young people in horticulture, made several appearances on CBBC’s Blue Peter and Newsround, been a junior journalist at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower for First News and watched the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show build, which was filmed for Gardeners’ World.

British Dragonfly Society Youth Ambassador

Having a ‘passion for ponds’, I was humbled to be named the British Dragonfly Society’s first ever Youth Ambassador; my job is to advocate for gardening and wildlife and to support their work to promote ponds and dragonflies.


Nature Star for the RSPB

In December 2018 I was asked by the RSPB to help them with their 40th year Big Garden Birdwatch Campaign. It was an amazing experience and I met one of my wildlife heroes, Chris Packham.

I’ve since gone on to work on lots of RSPB campaigns from their annual Big Garden Birdwatch to Wildlife Weekenders. I’m a big supporter of their work


If you share my passion for gardening and wildlife, please get in touch. I’m always looking for guest bloggers too, especially from young people.

Email me at greenfingeredgeorge@gmail.com or leave a comment below 

27 Responses to All About Me

  1. Barbara Shockledge says:

    Loving it already. Good luck George. X

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  2. Angie Taylor says:

    Oh George I will definitely enjoy your blog! Look forward to your words of wisdom , You are awesome! x

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  3. bernardhassall@btinternet.com says:

    love your blog George. we are really proud of you granma and granddad xxx

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  4. Sarah says:

    Love the clip x look forward to lots more love S

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  5. Alana Tapsell says:

    Congratulations on the blog George! I think reading this will be the highlight of every week đŸ™‚ x

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  6. Craig Laycock says:

    George…

    Your blog is awesome! (An American word which means terrific)

    You’ve made a huge impact already and we look forward to following your future in gardening with great interest; best of luck to you in your horticultural adventure.

    Kind regards
    Craig & Lee (ex-neighbours of your mum… We have a medium sized garden, a greenhouse and an allotment at your disposal X)

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  7. bernardhassall@btinternet.com says:

    granma and granddad are so proud of you George. looking forward to what it was like in london.

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  8. Beatrix Kinsman says:

    Haven’t seen you in a few years, but keep doing what you’re doing, seeing you on TV in 2014 made me very proud.

    xx Bea

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  9. liz Hibberd says:

    Really enjoyed reading George. I volunteer at HCGC so maybe I’ll see you there one weekend! đŸ™‚

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  10. Joan says:

    Congratulations George, your a little wonder xx brilliant blog

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  11. Ian Tinton says:

    Don’t forget to let us have a delivery address for your Remin volcanic rock dust sample

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  12. S. Radhakrishnan says:

    Congratulations, George! You are doing some amazing things and I hope to learn from you. Keep up the good work! Take care. S. Radhakrishnan (Ranjit) – a young, passionate gardener at 64!

    Like

  13. Chad says:

    So much passion and youth! Keep it up kiddo!

    Like

  14. Jack Spicer says:

    very nice george, i love gardening

    Like

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