The Prince of Wales is joining forces this Summer with
musicians, comedians, environmental experts and some of Britain's
best known companies to create a unique festival in the heart of
London. The Prince is opening up his own gardens at Clarence
House, together with his neighbours' gardens at Lancaster House and
Marlborough House this September.
'A Garden Party To Make A Difference', a rare opportunity to
visit these historic gardens, will last 12 days, from 8 to the 19
September 2010, from 10am to 6pm daily. There will be a timed
entry at hourly intervals with final admission at 4pm.
Tickets are on-sale today from the Start
Garden Party event website or by calling 0844 248 5052.
'A Garden Party To Make A Difference' is an imaginative part of
The Prince of Wales's 'Start' initiative launched in
February. The event aims to give people of all ages a fun day
out while at the same time, via the exhibits, demonstrating the
small steps that can, and are, being taken by all of us, interested
in building a more sustainable future.
The Prince of Wales said:
"I am delighted to be able to welcome visitors into my gardens,
and those of my immediate neighbours, for this exciting
festival. We have a fantastic team of talented curators who
are helping us create an event which will, I hope, be both fun and
informative. This festival is just one way in which Start can
help to demonstrate how we can all make a difference, however big
or small the steps we take."
The 12 day Garden Party, in the heart of London, will be an
intriguing blend of exhibitions, interactive displays, fun
activities and live performances throughout the day from comedians,
musicians and speakers. Each area of the Garden Party will be
curated by a celebrity champion. These include:
- Musical Programme created by Jools Holland
- Debate by Jonathan Dimbleby, Sanjeev Bhaskar & Clive
Anderson
- Comedy by Marcus Brigstocke and Hugh Dennis
- Growing and Gardens by Alan Titchmarsh
- Food and The Great Outdoors by Kate Humble
- Ecocars by Roger Saul and Kevin McCloud
- Fashion by Dame Vivienne Westwood
Sanjeev Bhaskar said:
"I am very pleased to be involved with 'Start'. Having witnessed
creative approaches to sustainability in Africa and India, where in
most cases it is an essential part of life, it seems only right
that we adopt similar attitudes here. Very often this equates not
just to common ecological sense but also financial sense too.
'Start' essentially gives us more control over our own lives by
giving us fresh (and sometimes forgotten) ways of making our
resources go further. Good news for our environment and good news
for our pockets!"
'A Garden Party To Make a Difference' is being supported by some
of the biggest brands and household names, such as Addison Lee,
Asda, B&Q, BT Group, EDF Energy, IBM UK and Ireland, M&S,
Virgin Money and Waitrose.
IBM will convene a nine day summit, 'The IBM
Summit at Start', for business and industry leaders from 8 to
16 September at Lancaster House. The aim of the Summit will
be to stimulate discussion on the initiatives that companies can
take around economic, environmental and societal
sustainability.
Visitors to 'A Garden Party To Make a Difference' will be able
to:
- Step into the future with displays and interactive exhibitions
about cutting edge green technologies and ideas.
- Visit three fascinating gardens in the heart of London,
including The Prince of Wales' own vegetable patch and rose
garden.
- Design and sew bags from recycled materials and display
them.
- Taste food and learn cooking tips from some of the country's
top food experts.
- Listen to comedians, musicians and speakers on a rolling
performance programme on two different stages.
- Visit over 100 displays and exhibitions.
Tickets, priced £15 for adults and £7.50 for children are on
sale from 9am today. Tickets are timed for purposes of entrance
only. Full purchase details are available
here.
The festival is being created and managed by Live Nation, the
company which ran Party in the Park, Concert for Diana and City
Salute.
Further details about the exhibitions and programming will be
announced over the next few weeks.
For more information about the day, read our visitor guide to attending the Garden
Party.