Swaffham ESCAPE allotment project wins Royal Horticultural Society medal for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee garden design at Tatton Park Flower show
A Swaffham community allotment project won a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) silver gilt medal for their first ever garden design at the Tatton Park Flower Show.
The ESCAPE allotment project is run by Family Action in the town. As part of the RHS’s ‘planet friendly’ flower border competition, ESCAPE Project volunteers Sarah Green and Sarah Jane Smith created a design based on the theme of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and reflecting the ethos of the project.
The final design featured the outline of the Union flag in jewel-coloured plants, with a willow crown centrepiece, created by Karen Bek.
The garden was transported across the country from Norfolk to Cheshire by a team of fantastic volunteers, including Tess Cureton, Trish Thorton, Sarah Jane Smith and Philip Peak.
Clare Peak, Family Action service manager, said: “Planting for the show fell on the two hottest days on record, so the volunteers deserved a medal for working in the heat alone!
"Thankfully their hard work paid off on judging day when were awarded with a Silver Gilt medal. This feels like an incredible achievement, thank you to everyone involved.”
Family Action’s ESCAPE project was established 12 years ago in response to a community need for more outdoor adult services that could help people to make new social connections, learn new skills and gain a sense of purpose.
Initially set up to support people with mental health needs, the project has expanded to offer support to adults who can benefit from spending time outdoors, connecting with nature, learning new skills and being part of a local community.
ESCAPE added: "We use Social and Therapeutic Horticulture to engage with participants as well as organising a range of other heritage and craft-based activities.
"Our work focuses on nurturing the skills and interests of our volunteers and participants to enhance wellbeing and a sense of connectedness within the community."
Family Action is a national charity committed to building stronger families and brighter lives.
