Mark Lane

Mark Lane, TV broadcaster of the award winning BBC Gardeners' World, is also a presenter for BBC Gardeners' World Live and the Royal Horticultural Society's Flower Shows - Chelsea, Hampton Court Palace, Chatsworth, Tatton. BBC Gardeners' World is one of the handful of factual TV programmes with a long pedigree of 50 years, viewed by a staggering 3 million people on a weekly basis, in the UK alone. Mark: "I'm here in a wheelchair and I can do these things. First and foremost I am a presenter, who just happens to be in a chair, but if I can be an inspiration to other people, then all the better for it." Mark graduated from University College London in Art History with B.A. (Hons). He went on to become the Publishing Director for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Managing Editor for the leading international Arts publisher Thames & Hudson. In 2001 Mark was in a car accident and had to have operations on his spine, which were complicated by him being born with spina bifida. Following a long rehabilitation period Mark studied garden design through an Open Learning course and has gone on to become the first recognised UK garden designer in a wheelchair. Writing A prolific writer, Mark has been in BBC Gardeners' World magazine, the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) journal The Garden, Which? Gardening, Landscape & Urban Design magazine, The Guardian newspaper, the Daily Mail newspaper, Daily Express newspaper, Sunday Express newspaper, The Sunday Telegraph newspaper, the Wealden Times magazine, Pro Landscaper, Kent Life and Surrey Homes, Life magazines, Conservation News, Waitrose Weekend, Enable Active magazine, RNOH magazine, Irish Examiner, Somerset County Gazette, Garden News, Darlington and Stockton Times, Irish News, Canterbury INDEX magazine, House Beautiful, House & Garden, and the Press Association. Mark is also a member of the Garden Media Guild. Mark Lane Writer Early Years Born in Hertfordshire in 1969, the family soon moved to Hove, just outside of Brighton. Mark: "I was very lucky growing up where I did. We overlooked the South Downs, with the countryside in walking distance to the north, and the beach to the south. As soon as I could walk I was fascinated by nature, wildlife, plants and art." Mark's earliest gardening memories are of him, aged 6 or 7, following his grandparents around their large garden, especially the veggie patch, growing cress on the window sill, tying in climbers and dead-heading plants. With an aptitude to paint and draw from a very young age, Mark would set up his easel to depict the rolling hills, the ocean, and the local flora and fauna. Mark was also a gifted young actor and flautist and when it came to choosing a university Mark had to decide between art and music. Art won the day, and with a fascination in the cultural, social and psychology aspects of art Mark started to put together a plan for his future, incorporating his love for words and art. His meteoric rise in publishing was rewarding and great fun, but the car accident in 2001 altered his career path. Mark: "I am so happy now, presenting on subjects that I love and am passionate about. As well as creating new landscapes and gardens for future generations to come". Charity Work Mark is passionate about promoting a positive image of disability, as well as the immediate and long-term benefits that gardening has on both our physical and mental health. Mark is a new supporter of Leonard Cheshire, the national and international charity supporting individuals to live, learn and work as independently as they choose, whatever their ability. Mark is the new Patron of Core Landscapes, an award-winning mental health project that aims to improve people's mental and physical wellbeing through horticulture. It opens up previously locked sites to create green havens for individuals and the wider local community. Mark is a new Ambassador for Greenfingers, the national charity dedicated to supporting children who spend time in hospices around the UK, along with their families, by creating inspiring gardens and outdoor spaces for them to benefit from. Mark is the 'Health, Wellbeing and Community' Ambassador for Groundwork, the community charity with a green heart carrying out thousands of projects each year across the UK, building stronger communities by improving green spaces. Mark is an Ambassador for Thrive, the disability charity that uses gardening to positively change lives. Mark is a Trustee for Gardening for the Disabled Trust, the national charity that gives out grants to disabled people and community groups, to get them back into gardening or to continue to garden themselves actively. Mark: "I am living proof of how gardening, the great outdoors, wildlife and being alone or with others can dramatically change your life. In a strange but positive way, my disability has made me more determined, and if I can help promote the community and environmental aspects of the great outdoors to thousands of people then I am more than happy to do so." Radio Mark has a regular slot on BBC Radio Kent's Sunday Gardening Programme and has broadcasted BBC Radio Sussex, BBC Radio Teeside, BBC Radio Three Counties, BBC Radio Leicester and BBC Radio 4 . Talks Mark is just as happy in front of a live crowd as he is in front of the camera. Sharing his excitement, enthusiasm and knowledge with others, Mark has given talks at BBC Gardeners' World Live, Enham Trust, the Wealden Times Fair, the Landscape Show and Hadlow College. Photography Self-trained, Mark keeps a visual diary of everything, from TV shoots to plant combinations, but the camerawork is purely an aide-memoire and does not get in the way of presenting.