Silver success at Chelsea for gardener

DUMFRIESSHIRE born gardener Duncan Hall was celebrating on Tuesday after receiving a special medal for his garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Newcomers Nick Burton and Duncan Hall designed the ‘Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden’ in partnership with the charity as an immersive, semi-wooded space that celebrates and reflects the joyful, unique qualities that people with Down’s Syndrome bring to society, whilst highlighting some of the daily challenges and barriers they face.

The duo were awarded the RHS Silver-gilt medal for their design which opened to the public on Monday.

Reflecting on their win, Nick Burton and Duncan Hall, of Burton Hall Garden Design, said: “We are over the moon to win our first Silver-Gilt medal at RHS Chelsea for our ‘Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden’, which has all been made possible by the generous funding provided by Project Giving Back.

“We hope visitors are drawn in by the garden’s lush, woodland planting, but also take a moment to look a little closer and see the deeper meaning and themes woven into its design.

“We hope our garden will allow people to reflect on the daily challenges faced by people with Down’s Syndrome, so they can reconsider misconceptions about their abilities, and appreciate the many joyful, positive qualities they bring on a greater level to society.”

The garden was inspired by Duncan’s eight-year-old nephew Liam Hall-Romay, from Penpont, who has Down’s Syndrome

And Liam and his brother Oscar were VIP guests at the show this week to see the creation.

When Chelsea ends, the space will relocate to its permanent home at Watch US Grow in Palacerigg Country Park in North Lanarkshire.