Carolyn's Bronze for her Making Space garden

Garden Designer, Carolyn R. Hardern, received a bronze award for the garden she created in dedication to the carer support services of Making Space. - at the 2010 RHS Tatton Park Show

Carolyn dedicated the garden she staged, at the Royal Horticultural Society’s show at Tatton Park between 21st and 25th July this year, to the carer support services of Making Space.
The garden called ‘Making Space – From Darkness to Light’ really captured the imagination of the RHS as it mirrored the journey of people who care for others – relatives or friends - who have experienced a mental health condition. 

The garden itself was entered via a series of undulating, dark slate slabs and chips which were carved with words which express the initial bleak feelings that many carers experience. The darkness then gave way to a brighter outlook, signalled by a cloud pruned tree which signified clouds’ blowing away and the path becoming more solid.

Yellow and gold English Roses, Bergenia and bright Heleniums gave off a feeling of optimism and wellbeing, while an open area of lush green grass surrounded by restive shades of mauve and lilac in Geraniums and Veronica provided an area to rest and relax.

An unobtrusive wooden bench overlooked the short sandstone path, carved with words which signalled a positive expression of peace, light and tranquility. 

Making Space was branded on a clear perspex column within the garden to represent the organisation supporting carers’ towards enjoying an everyday life.

Before the show opened to the public Making Space Chair, Bruce Rigby, and Board Trustee, Bill Swann attended the press/judging day. They were thrilled when they learned later that Carolyn’s garden had achieved a bronze award from the show’s judges.

Bruce commented:
“We feel a mixture of delight, gratitude and humility to have been the inspiration for Carolyn’s creativity. It is a great honour for everyone associated with Making Space to be represented in this prestigious way and we’re especially pleased that the judges awarded Carolyn for her brilliant work.” 

Throughout the following five days the garden attracted massive interest. Well over 3,000 leaflets, outlining the theme of the garden and Making Space services, were distributed to genuinely interested people attending the show.

‘Making Space – from darkness to light’ featured on the RHS and BBC national websites as well as gaining exposure on BBC2, BBC Radio Merseyside and within a host of other press and magazine articles.

As well as applauding Carolyn’s creativity and success many thanks should go to a community of volunteers from her local community who supported Carolyn in helping her to raise some of the funds for the garden. Also Workers from the Cheshire and Wirral NHS partnership trust who helped in building the garden, and Lin Jackson who painted a watercolour used in publicity which perfectly captured its essence.

A number of Making Space staff played an important role in distributing leaflets and supporting Carolyn but, above all, Honor Simpson, team leader in carer support services, worked tirelessly throughout and also deserves a special mention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

See some of the really positive comments made by people who visited the show here

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