Stuart Finnie and Anthea Rathlin-Jones

Two top TV and radio gardeners will be the star attractions at Skipton’s first ‘hand’s on’ garden festival by the Mart Theatre – and the first of its kind in the UK!

Experts Pippa Greenwood, of Gardeners World and BBC Radio 4 Gardeners Question Time, and BBC Radio Leeds’ Joe Maiden will be attending the Let it Grow event which takes place on Friday 7 May and Saturday 8 May (Pippa will attend Saturday only) at Skipton Auction Mart.

Suitable for garden novices and experts ‘Let it Grow’ is aimed at anyone who is passionate about ‘growing your own’. The two day special is jam packed with activities including workshops, demonstrations and talks that offer advice from growing in pots to bee keeping, composting and how to make the most out of garden produce.

And thanks to a helping hand from Skipton’s Business Improvement District (BID), the festival will also feature free children’s workshops where children will be able to help with planting seeds, designing their own miniature garden and producing their own grasshead. A workshop runs on Saturday 8 May in the Craven Court shopping centre from 11am-3pm. The BID sponsorship will also be supporting Craven College students to plant tubs for the town.

“Skipton is a forward thinking town and we are pleased to be backing a brand new festival – especially one that is unique,” said Tony Barrett, chairman of Skipton BID. “Additional funding from ourselves and other sponsors means the launch of the show can be even better and the top quality activities on offer will make it a great day out for visitors.”

Said Anthea Rathlin-Jones of the Mart Theatre: “We felt there was a need for a festival which was targeted for ‘growing your own’ and currently there is nothing else like it.

“Highlights will include how to create a sensory garden and Chris Myers, BBC Gardeners World Live 2009 show winner, will be building a display showing the use of herbs and fruit. On Saturday 8 May there will be a Plant Swap followed by a gardening question panel where there is chance to put your problems to the experts.”

Tickets can be bought in advance for £2.50 or on the door for £3.50. Children under 16 are free.

Parking is free plus a shuttle service will run from the theatre to Skipton town centre.

For more details contact The Mart Theatre on www.themarttheatre.org.uk or 01756 709666