Local author and Chelsea Flower Show judge Tamsin Westhorpe talked about and signed copies of her latest book at an event organised by Ross business Rossiter Books.

Tamsin is a freelance writer and curator and gardener of Stockton Bury Gardens, Herefordshire. She is also an RHS Chelsea Flower Show Judge and an acclaimed gardening author.

Her latest book is called “Grasping the Nettle” and is a warm-hearted and funny memoir about making a living as a gardener.

Tamsin chatted about her career and the garden at Stockton Bury and signed copies of the book on Wednesday, Novermber 30.

Carol from Rossiter books told the Gazette: “We think the book will make a great gift for anyone who loves pottering in their garden, or enjoys visiting inspirational gardens like Stockton Bury Gardens. We held the event at the Lion Ballroom in Leominster—a beautiful venue—that we have visited a few times with authors and hope to return to again and again.”

With over 25 years’ experience in the horticultural industry, Tamsin has plenty of practical, hands on advice to share. Her career has seen her edit The English Garden magazine for six years, write scripts for gardening TV shows, lecture at Kingston Maurward College in Dorset and care for parks and gardens.

She is now a freelance writer and curator and gardener of Stockton Bury Gardens, here in Herefordshire, which is listed by The Times in the top 20 gardens to visit July 2017.

She has spoken at schools and colleges to encourage careers in journalism and horticulture; in 2019 she was a speaker at The Bishops Palace Festival in Wells alongside Chris Beardshaw and Anne Swithinbank, and at RHS Malvern Spring Festival she was a speaker and expert on the women’s forum along with BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley.

She is a regular chair and panel member at charity question and answer sessions and delights in sharing her love of all things gardening. She talks regularly at Hardy Plants Society and Cottage Garden Society Groups and other local gardening clubs.