Southport Flower Show announces Beechgrove Garden stars for 100th anniversary

Carole Baxter and George Anderson of BBC’s Beechgrove Garden are heading to Southport Flower Show for this year’s 100^th anniversary show.

Carole Baxter was born and brought up in Loose a small village near Maidstone in Kent. Carole gained her degree from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Sussex and studied Amenity Horticulture at Elmwood College, Cupar in Fife.

She has been a professional horticulturist since 1979. From 1983 to 1995 she was the ‘behind the scenes’ gardener for the Beechgrove Garden, BBC Scotland and since 1986 she has been one of the presenters for this gardening programme.

Carole is now a self-employed Horticulturist, Broadcaster and Writer. She is a member of the Professional Gardeners’ Guild and in 2013 she was awarded the SHM (Scottish Horticultural Medal). For the last 8 years she has been a member of the Board of Trustees for the Horticultural Charity Perennial. Her interests include developing her own 8 acre garden and she enjoys walking.

George Anderson was born and brought up in East Lothian the eldest son of a small holder and market gardener. He left school at 16 and started work as a gardeners boy in a local estate walled garden. He attended Edinburgh and East of Scotland Agriculture college and studied horticulture. He also worked in commercial nursery and tomato houses in the Clyde Valley for two years.

In 1966, George joined the student course at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and studied Amenity and Ornamental Horticulture. He then joined the staff of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 1969 followed by Wolverhampton Teachers Training College and gained the Certificate in Education.

Additionally, he was appointed Higher Scientific Officer in the School of Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Eventually, he became the Head of the School of Horticulture and retired in 2004. He’s been a trustee and Council member of the RHS for 10 years, chaired various committees and was President of The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (The Caley).

He was also awarded the Scottish Horticultural Medal in 2007, an MBE for services to Horticulture Training in 2005 and in 2023 he received The Founders Award for services to Horticultural Training from the Professional Gardeners Guild.

George joined the presenter team of Beechgrove in 2005. George is interested in trout and salmon fishing, walking, gardening and allotmenteering, wildlife and travel.

Alan Adams, General Manager said:

“We can’t wait to welcome Carole and George to this year’s show. They will be at Southport Flower Show for two days, Thursday 15^th and Friday 16^th August and will join David Domoney and many more special guests in this year’s spectacular line-up.”

Southport Flower Show runs Thursday 15^th – Sunday 18^th August 2024 celebrating 100 years. Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting announcements on the Southport Flower Show website and social media channels.