Alan Gray, Gerry Daly and Mary Keenan

Alan Gray began his working life employed by Anglia Television in Norfolk, England as a mail boy delivering the internal mail in this busy award-winning television company. It was a lowly position but to a starry eyed youngster it was show business and all the glamour that that entailed. After a few years he had worked his way up the ladder, eventually becoming a film editor until the day he realised that to further his career he would need to spread his wings. Eventually he felt confident to break away from the safety of Anglia Television and become a free lance film editor in London. His move to the metropolis was further prompted when he met Graham his partner, now husband, who have now been together for over 40 years, something of an achievement in this day and age.

Little did he realise that great changes were around the corner for suddenly he was presented with the chance to run a prestigious store selling English antiques many of which found their way to the United States. An American antique dealer called Alistair Steel from New York city was a frequent buyer. Alistair liked the idea that Alan could search the length and breadth of Great Britain finding fine quality furniture that had not been seen in the trade. Alan’s shop in London was situated in Crawford Street in the heart of the West End and was laid out like a country home. Here flowers played an important part adding luxurious and homely touches to his displays and allowing potential customers to see how his furniture might look in their homes.

By this time Alan and Graham had bought a country house for themselves in Norfolk around 120 miles from London. The Old Vicarage at East Ruston was their bolt hole that they retired to every weekend where they enjoyed creating a garden. This garden provided much of the flowers and foliage that Alan used in his shop. With the passage of time and with the advent of modern technology they were able to move to the Old Vicarage full time, Alan to garden and Graham building an office in the garden from which he runs his business. Their garden is now regarded as one of the foremost modern gardens in Great Britain. It occupies a 32-acre site and is a labour of love that is open to visitors for eight months of the year, it is also a partnership garden to the Royal Horticultural Society for which it raises money.

Alan Gray is a regular contributor to BBC Radio Norfolk’s ‘Garden Party’ on Saturday lunchtimes, 12 – 2pm helping listeners with their horticultural queries large or small. The programme where no question is too silly to ask, the aim is to promote gardening and the fun, fitness, excitement and sheer delight that it brings to old and young alike.
Together with friend and gardening colleague, Thordis Fridriksson Alan has a podcast aptly named, ‘Talking Dirty’. They invite interesting people from the world of gardening to share tips, tricks and knowledge. Packed with information on all aspects of gardening and horticulture the aim is to share the love that we have for this rather special occupation with humour and fun.

Gerry Daly is a prominent Irish gardener known for his expertise in horticulture and his contributions to gardening journalism. Born and raised in Wexford, Daly developed a passion for gardening from a young age. Daly took a First Class Honours Degree in Horticulture at University College Dublin (UCD) in 1977, and a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics at the same institution in 1978.

Daly joined Irish national broadcaster RTÉ as a senior producer in 1979, and designed the Ask About Gardening radio show. Daly led the panel on Ask About Gardening, a live “phone-in” questions and answers radio show, from its inception, for over 20 years, and also took listener questions on shows like Marion Finucane’s on weekend mornings, and on slots with Keelin Shanley and others.

Daly appeared on RTÉ from 1984[9] to 1995, leading the Room Outside programme team. From 1991 to 1995, he was also lead presenter of Greenfingers for RTE and BBC Northern Ireland

In late 1991, Daly co-founded the magazine The Irish Garden with Mary Davies and Nick Maxwell before becoming sole editor in 2007.
Throughout his career, Daly has been dedicated to promoting gardening as a rewarding and fulfilling hobby accessible to all. His passion for plants, combined with his extensive knowledge and engaging communication style, has earned him a devoted following among gardening enthusiasts in Ireland and beyond.

Mary Keenan, with her husband Ross Doyle, is joint owner of the well-known Gash Gardens and Nursery in County Laois.  She has been gardening and growing plants for over 35 years.  After studying horticulture at University College Dublin, she worked as a college lecturer at the National Botanic Gardens for several years before taking on a role as Senior Executive Parks Superintendent in the Parks Department of a Dublin Local Authority.  She is a Past President and former Executive Director of the Tree Council of Ireland.  She is Editor of the Irish Garden Magazine and a passionate plantsperson, taking a very practical and down to earth approach to gardening.  W: www.gashgardens.ie