‘Hope on the Horizon’ garden RHS Chelsea Flower Show London
Chelsea Pensioners Jim Lycett and Frank Mouque (wheelchair) and Tom Stimpson MBE. RAF Veteran on the Hope on the Horizon garden. The
‘Hope on the Horizon’ garden in aid of Help for Heroes: produced by building and landscaping firm Farr and Roberts’, making their debut; designed by Matthew Keightley (29), as a result of his brother Michael’s involvement with the armed forces, having served on four tours to Afghanistan and due for his fifth this year; and sponsored by the David Brownlow charitable foundation. The garden layout is based on the shape of the Military Cross, the medal awarded for extreme bravery. Granite blocks will represent the soldiers’ physical wellbeing and the planting represents their psychological wellbeing at various stages of their rehabilitation. Both evolve through the garden from a rough, unfinished, over-grown beginning through to a perfectly sawn, structured end. An avenue of hornbeams draws the attention through the entire garden to a sculpture resembling a hopeful horizon; a reminder to the soldiers that they all have a bright future ahead. As well as areas to recline and reflect, the garden offers focal points all the way through. Cool, calming colours are used throughout, helping to emphasise the fact that it will be a serene, contemplative space. After the Show, the garden will be moved and set within the grounds at Help for Heroes Recovery Centre at Chavasse VC House in Colchester, Essex. The garden will offer a serene, peaceful haven to contemplate and inspire a bright future and to support the challenging journey to recovery. The Chelsea Flower Show 2014. The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London, UK
