Derby College Group Horticulture Students Start Work On Ambitious Show Garden Project

Horticulture students at Derby College Group’s Broomfield Hall Land-based and Leisure college are hoping to continue their winning streak at the prestigious BBC Gardeners World Live show at the NEC this summer.

They have again teamed up with the Derby branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and a range of sponsors headed by Don Amott Parks to design their entry entitled ‘The Revelation Garden’.

The garden is the most ambitious planned by the Horticulture department and measuring 25m by 15m, will be the largest garden at BBC Gardeners World Live which attracts thousands of visitors across four days.

The 50-strong group of students have started work on key elements of their design and will then spend two weeks constructing and planting the garden at the NEC ahead of the show which runs from June 13 to 16.

After the show, the garden will be carefully dismantled and key elements will be re-built at Don Amott Park’s flagship Lakeside Park near Louth for holiday makers to enjoy.

Last year the students won the top Platinum medal for their border ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ as well as the prize for the best interpretation of the theme in the 23-strong category. The two previous years resulted in Silver and then Gold medals.

This year’s garden will take visitors past four life size wooden horse sculptures mounted within a water feature and through 6ft golden gates into four gardens, designed by the students, depicting the emotions of reflection, peace, love and joy.

A wide range of flowers, shrubs and trees will be planted alongside specially constructed features such as seating areas and fountains alongside mood lighting and background music.

Derby College Horticulture lecturer Mike Baldwin has 25 years’ experience of creating competition show gardens with students at Broomfield Hall.

He said: “This is our most ambitious garden yet and will involve the skills and input over the coming months of around 50 students from our full time BTEC and part time HNC and RHS Horticulture study programmes.

“Work has already started on making the impressive gates and different structures around the garden and we will be growing and sourcing a wide range of plants and trees ahead of the two week build programme at the NEC.

“We are particularly eagerly awaiting the arrival of the centre piece wooden horses which will draw in the judges and visitors to BBC Gardeners World Live.

“The four separate gardens are then designed to evoke different emotions from calm reflection to upbeat joy.

“We are delighted again to be working alongside the Derby branch of the MS Society and, this year, with Don Amott Parks who have so generously supported us and who will ensure that ‘The Revelation Garden’ continues to be enjoyed for many years to come.

“This is a very exciting project for everyone involved and will give our students the opportunity to further develop their skills and creativity.”

Peter Milner, chair of the Derby branch of the MS Society, continued: “We have worked with the Horticulture team at Broomfield Hall for the past three years for Gardeners World Live.

“We initially asked them to design a border to raise awareness of MS and the scope and scale of the designs have grown in size and stature since then.

“As well as supporting the project during the design stages, our volunteers help to meet and greet visitors to the show garden at the NEC which is a much needed opportunity to raise funds through donations and to raise awareness of the charity.”

Don Amott concluded: “I can’t believe how talented and creative the staff and students are at Broomfield Hall and we are very much looking forward to seeing the garden at the NEC and then to re-building it at Lakeside Park.

“Lakeside is our flagship holiday home park and is renowned for its beautiful landscaping and natural surroundings. The Revelation Garden will be a wonderful focal point for everyone to enjoy.

“I also want it to showcase how highly we value Horticulture skills at Don Amott Park and the continued importance of attention to detail and creativity in today’s leisure industry.”

The project has been further supported by a wide range of sponsors including Trowell Garden Centre, stone paving specialists CED in Langley Mill, Marshalls and Harrowden Turf.