Got a bit behind!!

I had very good intentions to keep this blog up to date with all the exciting developments with my journey to Gardener's World Live..... little did I quite appreciate how much work there is involved in planning, creating and making something like this happen! As I already run my main website and blog, plus numerous other things, I have got rather behind in keeping everyone up to date on developments.


With only 3 weeks to go, I am going to attempt a 'whistle-stop' tour of where I have got to, in the hope I can pop a few more things on here in the next few hectic weeks!


Firstly, My WIldlifeKate Hub! Phil Clark up in Tebay is working amazingly hard, creating this truly amazing building and I cannot wait to showcase it at the show. It is going to form the centre-piece of my stand and I just know that Phil is going to do me proud! Phil has also created all the planters that will line my stand and hold up the fencing. As I am inside, I cannot attach stuff onto the floor, so Phil has cleverly designed the planters to suppost the fencing.


Forest Gardens have been extremely generous and have donated the fence panels for the stand and they look amazing!




The hub is having a green roof and I have planted some of it up with a wildflower turf. Sadly, the very cold weather and unexpected late frosts killed off some of the other seeds that I planted in the trays. The wildflower turf is looking brill though and should be great in a few weeks, especially with some warm sun on it over the coming weeks (hopefully!)

In the last few weeks, this has grown tremendously and will look brill on the Hub roof.

It is not just going to be me on the stand at the show..... I am delighted to be able to welcome all sorts of people along!.... (from my press release)

WildlifeKate Guests

Throughout the show, visit the WildlifeKate stand to meet and chat with her and her other guests:

Phil Clark:

Phil has created the WildlifeKate hub from an initial sketch and then worked with Kate to develop a bespoke garden retreat perfect for any wildlife enthusiast. From buildings to bird boxes, Phil can turn your idea into reality! Come and chat with him and find out more. Phil will be on the stand all week.

Barry Grubb:

Bushnell trail cameras play a big part in the wildlife monitoring and filming that WildlifeKate does in her patch. Want to find out more about these fantastic bits of kit? Come and chat with her and Barry (UK Key Manager for Bushnell) and see the products in action. Barry will be on the stand all week.

John Little:

After building his own turf roof house in 1995, John Little has built over 45 green roofed buildings and the Grass Roof Company has become known for these individually designed, innovative small scale structures. A green roof can be created on sheds, porches, outhouses, balconies, garages and small extensions in your garden. See examples of John’s habitat walls and also find out more about the benefits of a  green roof as seen on the WildlifeKate hub. John will be on the stand Friday until Sunday.

Brigit Strawbridge:

Want to find out more about bees and how we can create a bee haven in your garden? Brigit Strawbridge will be on the WildlifeKate stand on Sunday 17^th  so come and find out more about these fascinating insects.

Marion Horscroft:

Meet Marion who, after being animal care experts for many years, realised there was no specialist hedgehog food and knew she had to help. After months of development and nutritional research, she set up her business and website, ‘Spike’s World’ ,which specialises in food and accessories for some of the wildlife we attract  our gardens. Marion will be on the WildlifeKate stand on Friday. Come over and find out more about how you might attract hedgehogs, in particular, to your patch.

... and some great speakers too... so make sure you come and have a listen to some of my speakers....

WildlifeKate Speakers

Nip over to the WildlifeKate stand to hear some of her guests speak more about their specialised subjects and see what tips … and free gifts… you can pick up!

Marion Horscroft – Friday 15^th June 12pm

Would you like to find out more about attracting hedgehogs to you garden? Want to know what and how to feed your fox, badger or hedgehog visitors?  Marion from ‘Spike’s World’ will be on hand to help you find out….

John Little –  Friday 15^th- 2pm & 4pm

 Saturday 16^th - 11am, 1pm, 3pm

Sunday 18^th – 11am, 1pm

Roofs don’t have to be dull and dead. With effort and imagination, we can change these sterile surfaces into green oases.  These would not only provide a haven for wildlife but also transform the view from upstairs windows! There are many opportunities to create living roofs on and around the house and garden – on sheds, porches, outhouses, balconies, garages and small extensions. Even in the inner city, the roofs on housing estates, multiple garages, litterbin sheds and balconies all have the potential to be greened…. find out more and chat to John  on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Brigit Strawbridge – Sunday 17^th June - 2pm

The decline in the bee population is well covered in the media, but it's not only honeybees that are suffering. Brigit Strawbridge explains the importance of (and difference between) bumblebees, honeybees and solitary bees, the myriad problems they face and how we can all help them out in our back gardens and allotments.

I am also amazingly grateful for the companies who have supported me in this venture. A massive thanks to Bushnell and JJVickers (Bushnell UK Distributors) who have sponsored my stand and also to all the other companies who have donated some truly amazing prizes that will be given away throughout the week of the show. There will be some more details soon about how you can win some of this kit!!!

Great Prizes!

Throughout the week on the WildlifeKate stand and through her website, you will have the chance to win some truly AMAZING  prizes!

• ·         The NEW 2012 Bushnell HD Max Trail cam
• ·         Bushnell Birder binoculars, binocular harness and bird feeder
• ·         Bushnell Back Track D-Tour
• ·         Gardenature Side nest box and camera kit
• ·         3 x HandyKam nest box camera kits
• ·         3 x Handykam wildlife camera kits
• ·         Nature’s Feast Bird feeders and food
• ·         Ark Wildlife Hedgehog starter kit including hedgehog house, food and feeding bowls
• ·         Spike’s World Hedgehog food  kit and duck & swan food kit

 There is still SO much to do over the coming weeks.... I am having groups of school kids working on my stand so have lots to organise in that front.

G-Scapes, my local nursery are also at the show and I will be visiting them very soon to collect all the plants.... they have very kindly 'loaned' me all I need and we aim to showcase how you can create nectar-rich areas great for insects and then be able to purchase the plants I am showcasing from their stand. Pop over and see their show garden at the show too!

Anna at Francesca Marketing has been working with me, in conjunction with JJ Vickers and has helped in the creation of all my signage... I am not going to give it all away, but here is a little flavour of what you might see......

... and then there have been new business cards to design and print up....

      Hopefully that will give you a flavour of where we are up to!

      Added to that mix of excitement, Gardener's World are filming here in my garden next week and then will come and film on my stand at the show. The TV programme films lots of footage from the show, so if you can't come and say hello yourself, then watch out for me on the TV programme!

I     It is all so exciting and rather daunting at the moment, but with all the wonderful help and support from family and friends, it is beginning to come together!