adminHorticulture students at Derby College have clinched a coveted gold medal at Harrogate Flower Show for the third year running.
The 16-strong group designed and built a monastic garden as somewhere to retreat and contemplate life complete with groin arches, gargoyles, a water feature and a range of medicinal and culinary plants including vines and hops to make communion wine.
The construction elements of the garden have been built using an innovative ‘wallcrete’ product – designed to replicate stone but actually a lightweight material which is more environmentally sustainable.
Horticulture lecturer Mike Baldwin who is co-ordinating the project, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the gold for an amazing three years in a row.
“The students have worked extremely hard on the project and thoroughly deserve this success.
“This has been a great experience for them all – helping to build their CV and giving them the opportunity to learn more about horticulture from some of the top designers who will also be exhibiting at the show.”
“Key elements of the garden will be transported back to Broomfield after the show and will take pride of place in the gardens on the campus.”
The students visited Rufford Park and Newstead Abbey to gain inspiration for the monastic gardens which were, in Medieval times, traditionally somewhere for quiet contemplation with hidden passages should they need to escape under attack.
Among the students taking part of former Mercian Regiment soldier Chris Parrott (24) who is hoping to get a job in horticulture after finishing his College course.
“We are all so pleased that we have done as well as last year’s students. This is great for our CVs and it has been really interesting to look around the other show gardens to see what the other colleges and designers have done this year.”
The Derby College team have been supported by several local companies in their project including PICS.uk,Knauf, Tomlinson, Harlows, Buildbase and Swarkestone Nursery.
