www.crocus.co.uk picks up the Garden Media Guild’s Website of the Year 2013

Wed, Nov 27, 2013 18:58 CET

The Garden Media Guild awards were held at the InterContinental London Park Lane hotel today. The awards recognise the very best communicators and media professionals across the gardening and horticultural industries. www.crocus.co.uk, the only gardening website specialising in plants, scooped Website of the Year. Easy on the eye and easy to use, www.crocus.co.uk is much imitated by its rivals.

The Garden Media Guild works to raise the quality of writing, photography and broadcasting in the gardening and horticultural world and works with professionals across all communication disciplines.

The judges were impressed with all aspects of the design, technical delivery and user elements of Crocus and felt that the site conveys vast amounts of information without feeling cramped.

Since its launch in April 2000, www.crocus.co.uk has grown into the biggest gardening website in the UK and the only one able to supply a significant range of plants. The team behind the website have also grown plants for the show gardens at the Chelsea flower show every year since we started. In the last nine years the website has won 11 gold medals for gardens that the team has built and grown the plants for.

Alan Titchmarsh, English gardener, broadcaster and novelist, says, “Spreading the word about the value of horticulture is vital, but so too is the way in which it is done. Infectious enthusiasm and a passion for what we do is so important, as is generosity of spirit towards young people keen to join the crusade. We must fire up the next generation of gardening writers and broadcasters, passing on our enthusiasm, knowledge and experience without boring them rigid or being afraid that they will one day take over.”

Garden Media Guild Awards 2013 winners in full

Dr David Hessayon Garden Writer of the Year: Alys Fowler. The Dr David Hessayon Garden Writer of the Year award went to the journalist submitting the best three features in a national, regional or specialist newspaper or consumer or trade magazine. The award covered articles published between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013.

Reference Book of the Year: Christopher Brickell. The Reference Book of the Year award acknowledged the best factual garden or gardening book not intended to be read all the way through, chapter by chapter. Plant monographs, encyclopaedias, directories and garden guides in a one-off or annual publication were also included. Entrants were hardback or paperback books, published between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013, alone or within a series. Revised, updated or republished books were also considered, providing they were not previous Garden Media or Garden Writers’ Guild Awards winners.
2012 winner: Charles Nelson with Hardy Heathers from the Northern Hemisphere, published by Kew Publishing.

Practical Book of the Year: Kay Maguire. The Practical Book of the Year award recognised the book that best covered the practicalities of a particular aspect of gardening with proven tips, tools and, possibly, illustrated techniques. Entrants were hardback or paperback books, published between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013, alone or within a series. Revised, updated or republished books were also considered, providing they had not previously won Garden Media or Garden Writers’ Guild Awards.

2012 winner: Kenneth Cox and Caroline Beaton with Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland, published by Birlinn Publishing

Inspirational Book of the Year: Tim Richardson. The Inspirational Book of the Year award, sponsored by Westland Horticulture, recognised the best travel tale, biography, inspirational plant journey, diary or story that inspired the gardener to do something new. Entrants were hardback or paperback books, published between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013, alone or within a series. Revised, updated or republished books were also considered, providing they had not previously won Garden Media or Garden Writers’ Guild Awards.

2012 winner: Kim Wilkie’s Led by the Land, published by Frances Lincoln

Garden Publication of the Year: Gardeners’ World Magazine. The Garden Publication of the Year award, sponsored by Scotts Miracle-Gro, recognised the national, regional or specialist consumer magazine or newspaper with the best gardening content. Judges evaluated three consecutive issues published during the period between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013.

2012 winner: The Garden

News Story of the Year: Ian Hodgson. The News Story of the Year award, sponsored by Brother UK, recognised the writer of the best gardening news story published in any national, regional or specialist newspaper, any consumer or trade magazine or on any website. Stories judged were published between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013, with entrants supplementing their submissions with evidence of how their story developed.

2012 winner: Marc Rosenberg, News Editor, Amateur Gardening with Red Alert over Monty’s Beetle Tip.

Journalist of the Year: Matthew Wilson. The Journalist of the Year award, sponsored by STIHL, recognised the writer of the best three gardening articles published in print or online between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013. Entrants supplemented their submissions with evidence of how their story developed.

2012 winner: Stephanie Mahon, Production Editor, The English Garden & The Edible Garden, with A Tour de Forcing, Second Nature and Something for Everyone.

Practical Journalist of the Year: Guy Barter. The Practical Journalist of the Year award, sponsored by Thompson & Morgan, recognised the writer of the best three practical gardening columns, articles or articles from a series published in a magazine, newspaper or website.

2012 winner: Lia Leendertz, The Guardian, with Come in From the Rain, Waste Not Want Not and Reap What You Sow.

Trade Journalist of the Year: Sarah Cosgrove. The Trade Journalist of the Year award, sponsored by Briggs & Stratton, recognised the writer of the best three trade columns, or articles from a feature or series, published in a professional horticulture or trade journal or website. Entries published between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013. 2012 winner: James Armitage, Garden Design Journal, with Land of the Giants, Return of the Natives, Get to Grips with Grasses.

Photographer of the Year: Jason Ingram. The Photographer of the Year award, sponsored by Hartley Botanic, recognised the best photographic work to enter the public domain between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013. This includes print and online media, public exhibition space and publication via stock agency. Entrants submitted eight published garden and/or plant images to the judges.

2012 winner: Jürgen Becker, freelance photographer.

Features Photographer of the Year: Marianne Majerus. The Features Photographer of the Year award recognised the best photographic work published in print or online between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013. Entrants submitted a themed portfolio of five or more images from one editorial feature, in print or online, from an assignment that accounts for at least 80% of all the photographic illustrations published in the context.

2012 winner: Jürgen Becker, freelance photographer, for Garten Praxis, 03/2012, Hortus.

Book Photographer of the Year: Mark Diacono. The Book Photographer of the Year award recognised the best photography to appear in gardening books published between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013. Photographers were required to submit hard copies of books for which they had contributed 80% or more of the total photographic content along with eight to ten photos from the publication.

2012 winner: was Jonathan Buckley, with Wild Flowers.

TV Broadcast of the Year: Monty Don’s French Gardens: The Gourmet Garden. The TV Broadcast of the Year award, sponsored by HTA (Horticultural Trades Association), recognised the best national or regional TV gardening broadcast of three minutes or more, including red button broadcasts. Entries were to be broadcast for the first time between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013.

2012 winner: Gardeners’ World with The Olympic Park, 10 Downing Street and South Bank Roof Garden.

Radio Broadcast of the Year: Gardeners’ Corner. The Radio Broadcast of the Year award recognised the best local or national radio gardening broadcast. Criteria included single or selected programmes from a series, features, documentaries, interviews and phone-ns. Entries were to have been first aired between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013.

2012 winner: James and the Giant Redwoods presented by James Aldred and Ben Jones.

Environmental Award: Katy Bradbury. The Environmental Award went to the writer, photographer or broadcaster who identified and chronicled a project or impact to the guardianship of our environment. Projects entered were started, developed or completed between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013 with the coverage appearing in the same period. This cross-media category was judged on the environmental benefits of the subject matter and the degree of excellence with which it was communicated.

2012 winner: John Walker, www.hartley-botanic.co.uk, with Gardening’s Own Goal.

The Alan Titchmarsh New Talent award: Nick Turrell. New for 2013, The Alan Titchmarsh New Talent award is for those people who made their first steps in the garden media world between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013. The award was based on entrants’ talent and potential in his or her field of communication, with judges assessing published and/or broadcast material and supporting submissions.

Blog of the Year: http://blogs.crocus.co.uk/plantsmans The Blog of the Year award was judged from viewing live blogs posted between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013 along with supporting entry details.

2012 winner: The Guardian Gardening Blog.

Website of the Year: www.crocus.co.uk The Website of the Year award recognised the best gardening website. This was judged from viewing the live website plus supporting entry details comprising a 200 word statement describing the target audience.

New Media award: James Alexander-Sinclair & Tiffany Daneff. The New Media award looked at the best software applications (apps) designed to be downloaded to a device operating system such as iPhone, iPad or the Android equivalent and flip book effect. Also eligible were e-magazines and online magazines launched or published between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013. Applications were judged on the quality of content, innovation and user experience.

The Lifetime Achievement Award: Stefan Bucazcki. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises individuals who have made an exceptional long-term contribution to the gardening media sector and the wider industry. The winner is elected by votes cast by members of the Garden Media Guild.

2012 winner: Jekka McVicar, English organic gardening expert, author and broadcaster

The Garden Media Guild Awards 2013 are open to everyone who creates or publishes gardening material, not just Guild members. The awards provide an opportunity for new talent and established players to demonstrate their skill within the industry.

The 2013 Awards Lunch offered a unique chance to network among some of the best-known faces and most influential players in the gardening world.

2013 Sponsors of the Garden Media Guild Awards included:

Briggs & Stratton
Brother
Garden World Images
Hartley Botanic
HTA (Horticultural Trades Association)
redheadPR
Scotts Miracle-Gro
STIHL
Thompson & Morgan
Westland Horticulture

http://www.gardenmediaguildawards.com

Like the Garden Media Guild on Facebook /GardenMediaGuildAwards

Follow the Garden Media Guild on Twitter @gmgawards

Ends

For more information contact:
Emma De Maio
redheadPR
Tel: 07921 160 134
Email: emma@redheadpr.co.uk

The Awards covered the entire media spectrum, with categories including:

Books – awarded to authors in three subcategories: Practical Book of the Year, Reference Book of the Year and Inspirational Book of the Year sponsored by Westland Horticulture

Press –the Garden Publication of the Year sponsored by Scotts Miracle-Gro, The David Hessayon Garden Writer of the Year, News Story of the Year sponsored by Brother UK, Journalist of the Year, Practical Journalist of the Year sponsored by Thompson & Morgan and Trade Journalist of the Year sponsored by Briggs & Stratton

Photography – including Photographer of the Year sponsored by Hartley Botanic, Features Photographer of the Year and Book Photographer of the Year

Broadcasting – comprising awards for both TV Broadcast of the Year sponsored by the HTA (Horticultural Trades Association) and Radio Broadcast of the Year

Multimedia – this wide ranging category includes the Environmental Award and The Alan Titchmarsh New Talent Award, Digital Media Awards for Blog of the Year & Website of the Year, and new for 2013, the New Media Award.

Full list of judges for the Garden Media Guild Awards 2013

Liz Anderson, PR, marketing and comms; clients include Hiller and New Covent garden
Professor Chris Baines, leading environmentalist and award-winning writer and broadcaster
Vanessa Berridge, freelance writer and former editor of The English Garden and Country Homes and Interiors Magazine
Kate Bradbury, writer and editor; author of The Wildlife Gardener, Kyle Books
Charlotte Bromley-Davenport, photographer with an international portfolio, clients include British and Russian Vogue, Harpers and Queen, The New York Times
Lord William Burlington, photographer
Michelle Chapman, writer, gardener and award-winning blogger
Ursula Cholmeley, writer, broadcaster and custodian of an enormous 400 year-old garden in Lincolnshire
Mark Diacono, former gardener at River Cottage, writer, broadcaster and author of three award-winning books
Lucy Dichmont, multi-award-winning freelance producer and executive, former senior producer on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time
Martin Fish, writer, broadcaster and RHS judge
Seamus Geoghegan, founder of Seven Publishing and former Director of Lifestyle at BBC Worldwide
John Gilbert, professional garden designer
Laura Giuffrida, Galleries and Exhibitions Leader at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Alistair Griffith, Head of Science at the Royal Horticultural Society
Derek Harris, award-winning garden and landscape photographer and artist
Mike Howes, garden photographer and Honorary Secretary of the Garden Media Guild
Dawn Isaac, writer, author and RHS Chelsea medal-winning designer
Rasika Krishna, Director, Digital Strategy & User Experience at international IT company, APCO Worldwide
Lia Leendertz, prolific and award-winning freelance garden writer
David Loftus, award-winning and internationally acclaimed photographer specialising in portraits, lifestyle and food
Marianne Majerus, internationally successful award-winning garden photographer; RHS Photography judge and garden design judge
Laetitia Maklouf, writer, author, blogger and TV presenter
Geoff Marsh, Online editor of the Daily Express
Valerie McBride Munro, broadcast journalist who has worked on Red Button coverage of RHS Chelsea, gardening skills coach
Tyrone McGlinchey, Managing Director of Garden World Images photographic library and a Fellow of the Linnean Society
Clive Nichols, award-winning garden photographer, judges for the International Garden Photography competition and RHS photography competition
Graham Paskett, founder of specialist PR agency, Paskett PR
Jane Perrone, Gardening Editor of The Guardia,; writer and author
Tim Rumball, Editor of Amateur Gardening Magazine
Naomi Slade, prolific and award-winning horticultural journalist and show garden designer. The Plant Lover’s Guide to Snowdrops (Timber Press) is out in 2014
Sir Tim Smit, Discoverer of the Lost Gardens of Heligan and founder of The Eden Project
Deborah Stone, Chairman of the Garden Media Guild and Online Gardening Editor for Express Newspapers' website
Francijn Suermondt, colourful and dynamic PR executive for Suttons Seeds, founder of www.rabbitattackpr.com, writer
Jo Thompson, multi-award-winning Chelsea Garden designer, best in show 2009
Anne Wareham, writer, blogger and author of The Bad Tempered Gardener
Tamsin Westhorpe, horticulturally trained Editor of The English Garden Magazine, former deputy editor of Amateur Gardening
Matthew Wilson, Managing Director of Clifton Nurseries in London, former Curator of RHS Hyde Hall garden, writer and broadcaster
Andrew Wilson, writer and author, Director of Chiswick-based Wilson McWilliam Studio and a Director of the London College of Garden Design

Alan Titchmarsh MBE VMH DL, presenter the Alan Titchmarsh New Talent Award, said: “We are all passionate about gardening, and the more we can do to pass on our enthusiasm and wake up a new generation to the importance and fulfilment of looking after their own patch, along with the wider landscape, the better. I am now in my fiftieth year of gardening for a living, but am as committed as ever to promoting it as a valuable and worthwhile profession, as well as the most fulfilling of pastimes. It is vital that gardening writers and broadcasters younger than I am continue to spread the word with enthusiasm, passion and knowledge, opening the eyes of the young to a pursuit that is enriching, transforming of their surroundings and vitally important in terms of the wellbeing of the planet. Gardeners are at the sharp end of conservation, natural history, plant science and feeding the nation. It is time that more folk realised that and came out into the fresh air."