Cumbrians scoop gold at RHS Tatton
4:02pm Thursday 24th July 2008
A SOUTH Lakes gardening team won a gold medal at the prestigious RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park this week.
Andrew Loudon and Beetham Nurseries were awarded a gold medal and Best In Show runners-up in the Back-to-Back category on Tuesday (July 22) for their Lake District Poet’s Garden - inspired by Wordsworth’s former home at Rydal Mount.
Designer and dry stone waller Mr Loudon said: “We’re highly delighted. It is nice to get a reward of a Gold Medal after all the hard work.
It really was a team effort.
"In recent years Beetham Nurseries haven’t been with us and we got silver last year. Now they’re back with us we get a gold and that says it all.”
Sponsored by Cumbria Tourism, the garden was Cumbria’s official entry to the show and was supported by Wordsworth’s surviving relatives.
On Tuesday (July 22), Susan Wordsworth Andrew gave a reading of Wordsworth’s, The Massey Ways Carried Across These Heights.
The garden features dry stonewalling and a Lakeland Slate Victorian summerhouse built by Mr Loudon along with lush green planting by staff at Beetham Nurseries that reflect the rainfall experienced in the Lake District.
The team have worked together on previous gardens at RHS Tatton Park where they received Best in Show and a Gold in the Back-to-Back category and at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2005 where they received a Silver Gilt.
The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park runs until Sunday (July 27).
The Lake District Poet’s Garden can be found at stands B56 and B57.
For more information visit: www.rhs.org.uk/tatton/2008