Charles Dowding

A month ago, I never would have imagined meeting Charles Dowding. Yet, through a series of serendipitous connections, I not only met him but had the chance to interview him. Having followed Charles’ no-dig gardening methods for decades, he’s been a constant source of inspiration for me and countless gardeners worldwide. I’ll admit, I was worried I might be too starstruck to speak, but he was so welcoming and genuinely curious. “Are you a writer?” he asked. I confessed that I’m really just a gardener. His response? “Fantastic! Tell me what you do.” And from there, we had an engaging, insightful conversation that felt more like chatting with an old friend than meeting an idol.

To my surprise and delight, Charles has also awarded me a bursary to continue my work with schools. I’ll be heading back to Inverkeithing High School soon and installing two raised beds in Ayr. I’ve already had the pleasure of teaching a class at Touch Primary School, and the support from Charles has inspired me to explore further funding opportunities. Schools are often too stretched for time and resources to bring in gardeners on their own, but with the right support, I hope to continue this rewarding work.

This is the link to the article I wrote for Bite Magazine.

Stay tuned for more updates!