BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair - 11-13 September 2026

Sara Ward has transformed her Victorian terraced house in London into an urban smallholding, ‘Hen Corner’, complete with chickens, honeybees, fruit trees and overflowing veg patches. Last year they harvested £4,000 worth of food from their back garden. Her recent book ‘Living the Good Life in the City’ shares some of the ways she and her family have brought city and country together, and shows that you, too, can make a difference to how you live and the food you eat.

Sara will be on the Let’s Grow Stage

Marcus Bean is a chef, author, and presenter, who learned to cook by taking charge of the kitchen in his Shropshire pub. He got straight in the kitchen and taught himself to cook and then went on to win Iron chef UK on channel 4.

Since then, Marcus has become a regular chef on ITV’s “This Morning”, wrote a cookery book all about Chicken, releases in July 2024.

The Good Chicken Cookbook: Over 100 Delicious and Sustainable Recipes.

Marcus has become a popular host at the Good Food shows around the country. He’s appeared on Good Food Channels “Market Kitchen” Channel 4’s “What’s Cooking” shows on Food Network & ITV’s new children’s cookery show “MunchBox” & The Saturday Show.

Marcus and his wife Jenny currently own & run “Brompton Cookery School” in Shropshire, during this time Marcus has taught over 25,000 people to cook.

Marcus specialises in using local and seasonal produce from Shropshire and surrounding areas, and over the years has built up a great relationship with his suppliers which he showcases in the school & for demonstrations around the country.

Marcus also works as a private chef for regular clients across the world, alongside working as a hospitality consultant, helping create and manage new and existing food and drinks businesses around the country.

Marcus is a keen Runner, completing London marathon 7 times.  He’s also an advocate of helping and supporting local charities like The Shrewsbury Ark, a Shelter for the homeless & vulnerable, alongside helping reduce food waste with Local charities like the Shrewsbury Food Hub.

Following a career change from social care in her mid 30’s, Louise studied horticulture at Brooksby Melton College in Leicestershire and gain practical paid experience at the same time by working for a local garden centre, a specialist plant nursery and a large scale bedding grower.

Having successfully gained a place as a Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme Trainee (HBGTP) at Audley End in 2007, Louise spent 12 months working for the 2 Head Gardeners who managed the gardens at that time.  Once the traineeship was complete, Louise was kept on as a Gardener in the ornamental gardens, promoted to Senior Gardener several years later, and then became Head Gardener 4 years ago.  Louise is responsible for managing the 100 acres of gardens and grounds and works alongside a team of 11 staff and 60 volunteers.

A background in Medical Sciences and Mathematics may seem an unlikely starting point for a garden designer, but Kim‘s extensive knowledge of these subjects has proven invaluable when drawing inspiration for her design work.  Kim creatively translates sequences, patterns, and natural geometry to the drawing board, enabling her to build schemes that speak from the heart of nature itself; using the rules and then breaking them accordingly as part of the creative process.

Kim‘s first garden transformation was her own Cambridge city garden which she renovated from a blank canvas to an elaborate floral haven 23 years ago.  Her design incorporated, a myriad of flowers, including dahlias; which she left behind when she moved to Toronto, Canada.  Fast forward 20 years; and back on UK soil; Kim’s love for dahlias reignited with a passion, and she now boasts a collection of over 200 varieties at her home, field and allotment.

Kim’s success as a flower grower has catapulted her to expert status in the area of dahlias in recent years.  With a passion to share her garden knowledge and expertise with other gardeners, Kim has written and curated her own ‘how to’ course, helping dahlia growers and providing step by step guidance on how to get the best from these fascinating blooms.

An accomplished floral designer, Kim works at a top Cambridge floristry company, meaning she gets to flex her creative muscle on a daily basis.  Experienced in creating bespoke floral installations in and around the city of Cambridge, Kim relishes the opportunity to design new and exciting arrangements using combinations of colour, texture and form.

Emma Crawforth is the Horticultural Editor of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and responsible for shaping gardening content that’s horticulturally correct.

Kew trained, she’s worked for the brand for over 10 years creating inspirational, problem-solving and thought-provoking features. At home she grows fruit, veg and flowers while tending her ornamental and productive gardens. Her book, Things to do with Plants, was published this year with the aim of helping us all connect more with the botanical world.

Emma will be on the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage sharing tips and advice

David Hurrion has spent more than 20 years writing for and editing the nation’s crop of garden magazines, and is now Associate Editor for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine.

David has also appeared both as a regular contributor and an horticultural commentator on a wide range of national and local radio programmes, as well as on television.

David’s knowledge is based on more than 40 years of growing plants, working in gardens and nurseries, and gardening his own plots in many different parts of the UK. He studied horticulture at Writtle College in Essex and went on to gain his certificate in education which took him to teach at some of the country’s foremost horticultural colleges. He has also travelled to every continent with the exception of antarctica to discover plants and gardens, both independently and, on more than 40 trips accompanying groups of gardeners. Click here for his website.

Ade Sellars - The Good Life Gardener

Often called the ‘Yummy Brummie’, Glynn Purnell started cooking professionally at the age of 14. After securing a work experience placement in a hotel kitchen, he spent the next two years catching the No 966 bus to the Metropole Hotel at the NEC where he was quickly promoted to making salads and flipping burgers. A six-year stint followed, gaining experience in every department from banqueting to the A La Carte Terrace Restaurant, where he discovered his talent and passion for fine dining. It wasn’t long before he began winning awards including the prestigious Salon Culinaire.

His next professional step was as Chef de Partie at Simpson’s Restaurant where he progressed to the position of Sous Chef. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star and Glynn went on to win many accolades within the industry.

After training with top chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Gary Rhodes and Claude Bosi, Glynn travelled abroad to work with well-known Michelin starred chefs in Europe. He went on to help launch Jessica’s in July 2003, which was awarded Birmingham’s first Michelin star back in 2005. Glynn is now the proud owner of two establishments in Birmingham, Purnell’s Restaurant on Cornwall Street, which opened in July 2007 and was awarded a Michelin star in 2009, and Purnell’s Bistro & Ginger’s Bar on Newhall Street, which opened in September 2012.

Glynn has become a household name after taking part in the Great British Menu, winning twice and then later appearing as a mentor. He has previously featured on The Great British Food Revival and The Secret Chef, among other television programmes. He can regularly be seen on Saturday Kitchen as a host and guest chef. He presented the latest series of My Kitchen Rules UK alongside Rachel Allen on Channel 4 last year.

Michelin Star – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 
AA Restaurant of the Year (England) 2009 
The Guardian Top 10 Restaurants in the Midlands 2010 
Harden’s Restaurant Guide 2016 – listed 54th in top 100 restaurants in the country 
BMW Square Meal Best UK Restaurant Award 2012 
What’s On Readers Awards 2016, 2017, 2018 – Best Midlands Chef (Glynn Purnell) 
What’s On Readers Awards 2016, 2017, 2018 – Best Birmingham Restaurant 
Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards 2016, 2018 – Best Michelin Star Restaurant 
Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards 2016 – Best Chef (Glyn Purnell) 
Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards 2018 – Special Recognition Award (Glynn Purnell) 

Adam Kirtland -Tales From The Potting Bench