those with arthritis and the way in which it feels as though the world is closing in on them. The ‘lucid garden’, a more
formal section reached by an irregular stepping stone path, was reminiscent of the way that sufferers go on to find a route to managing their illness. Chris’s idea for the
‘radiant’ area, the part of the garden that most visitors came to first, was to take people back in time to gain an understanding of how it feels before the symptoms of arthritis are first experienced, with low box hedging symbolising a sense of security. “There’s a security that is
inevitable about being contained within something,” he explained. “The planting on either side is radiant in its colour palette, giving you the opportunity to say this is what life is about, and that’s how I want to live.” Chris, who was once
warned that he could be in a wheelchair by the time he was 19, underwent years of tests and experiments to find effective pain relief for his condition, which he now manages through a
Silent Witness star Emilia Fox in the B&Q Sentebale Forget-Me-Not Garden
combination of diet and low impact exercise. “Being in the garden or in
a beautiful landscape creates a feeling of positivity and I hope this garden will inspire others with arthritis to take control of and manage their condition,” he said. “Gardening can be used to combat arthritis; it keeps you mobile and active.” The 2013 Chelsea Flower
Show was particularly memorable for Berkeley- based designer Paul Hervey- Brooks, who won his first Chelsea gold with his entry for BrandAlley in the Fresh category. Paul will be returning this
year with a main avenue garden inspired by the Italian Renaissance for BrandAlley. Meanwhile the garden
built by Newent-based Peter Dowle for the designer James Basson also took gold. Gloucestershire-based
members of the royal family were represented in body and spirit during the show’s press day. Zara Phillips attended the
event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of John Deere lawn tractors while Prince Harry’s B&Q Sentebale Forget-Me-Not Garden,
Great British Bake Off presenter Mary Berry
designed by Jinny Blom, won a silver gilt medal. The garden was created to help
raise awareness of the charity, Sentebale, which was set up by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in memory of their mothers. Its design reflected the landscape of Lesotho and the country’s problems. Sentebale, which means Forget-
Me-Not, supports needy and vulnerable children in Lesotho, many of whom are victims of extreme poverty and Lesotho’s HIV/AIDS epidemic. The 2014 Chelsea Flower Show,
sponsored by M&G Investments, is set to be marked by an influx of young talent, with several designers and exhibitors taking part in the event for the first time. They include brothers Harry and David Rich, Matt Keightley and Hugo Bugg, all of whom are in their 20s.
Inspiring life in the Cotswolds
Chris Beardshaw with the garden he designed for Arthritis Research UK
Zara Phillips cuts a cake to celebrate the
50th anniversary of John Deere Lawn Tractors
Key themes are set to include
the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, with Birmingham City Council and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity commemorating the anniversary; the Italian Renaissance, with Paul Hervey-Brookes among those inspired by this period in history. The charity Perennial, which
provides a lifeline to horticulturalists and has 10 bungalows in King’s Stanley, will be celebrating its 175th anniversary with a garden by Jo Thompson. Meanwhile multi gold medal
winner Cleve West returning after a year’s break to create a contemporary take on the ancient ‘paradise’ garden for M&G. The 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower
Show runs from May 20 to 24. For tickets visit: http://www.rhs.
org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS- Chelsea-Flower-Show/2014
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