An award winning garden from RHS Flower Show Tatton Park that was donated to a local hospice by members of the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) has been officially opened.
The Precious Resources Garden, designed by Paul Hervey Brookes, was moved to a new home at Willow Wood Hospice, in Ashton-under-Lyne and was opened by Blue Peter gardener, Chris Collins last week.
Willow Wood has been through an extensive refurbishment of the land around the Hospice and their gardens play a major role in their all round holistic care for patients and their families. The plant material from the Tatton show garden will add great benefit to the new landscaped garden, designed by Sophie Cordingley and built by APL member Foxcroft Landscapes.
Originally built by a collaboration of the founder members of the APL North West Cluster Group – Andy Kirman of Kirman Design based in Warrington, Steve Foxcroft and Simon Ford of Foxcroft Landscapes based in Leigh, Stephen Hargreaves of Seasonal Landscapes, based in Thornton Cleveleys and Mick Topp of Vision Landscapes, based in Southport, the garden won a Silver medal and the People’s Choice Award at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park last week.
Chris Collins said: “It was a big honour for me to attend and open the new garden at Willow Wood Hospice . I am fortunate to be aware of the amazing work that is being undertaken there and the positivity of those all involved bring to this special place . As a gardener I fully understand the ability of nature to bring happiness into our lives and thus feel the garden is a superb addition to Willow Wood . I believe it will make a valuable contribution to all who are involved at the hospice for many years to come.”
The hospice provides specialist Palliative Care to those suffering with life-threatening illnesses. The Hospice first opened its doors for Day Hospice patients in May 1999 and for In-Patients the following September. Since then, the Hospice has cared for more than 2,000 patients and their families.
