Autumn Lunch with Alan Tichmarsh

Alan Titchmarsh took time out from his gardening and busy television schedule this autumn to help raise money for local disability charity, Queen Elizabeth Foundation. Acknowledged as a national treasure and the UK’s most popular gardener, Alan was guest speaker at the charity’s Autumn Lunch held on 8 October at the Duchess’s Stand, Epsom Racecourse.

Alan with QEF Horticulture trainees. Proving to be one of the most popular stalls with Alan and guests was the colourful display of plants, pots and hanging baskets prepared by disabled trainees attending horticulture courses at QEF Training College. Casting a keen eye over their efforts, he was full of praise and happy to pass on some expert tips and advice on gardening technique.

Broadcaster, novelist, journalist, gardener and opera lover, Alan entertained his audience with reminiscences of his northern roots, time filming Ground Force for BBC1 and his endless passion for everything that flies, wriggles and grows in his garden. A prolific writer, Alan has written over forty gardening books, seven novels and has just released the third volume of his autobiography, Knave of Spades and is currently busy presenting his daily chat show for ITV1.

This year’s Ladies Autumn Lunch was a sell-out attracting over 420 ladies and 66 stall holders displaying a wide variety of goods and gifts. Speaking at the lunch, Alan commented: “I am delighted to see that, in these difficult economic times, we are not suffering from compassion fatigue. What I love about the British people is that when something needs doing, they simply get it done. I’m passionate about the charities I am involved with and do my best to support them as they strive to achieve their goals.”

The aim of Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation is the same today as when the charity was founded 75 years ago. It exists to create opportunities for disabled people by providing expert development, assessment, rehabilitation and training services helping them to achieve their individual goals.