Canal gates open up at flower show
TO YORKSHIRE SHOWCASE GARDEN
LOCK gates recently removed from Huddersfield Narrow Canal will be used as part of a stunning garden design at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show.
The historic canal gates taken down by Canal & River Trust have been donated to tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire for its entry to the RHS Chelsea show garden.
It will celebrate the county’s rich industrial heritage and the hundreds of miles of stunning waterways which run across the county.
People from across the Trust, including volunteer lock keepers, heritage experts and apprentice carpenters, will be supporting the garden by sharing their knowledge, lending artefacts and getting hands-on to help build some of the features.
Thousands of people will see the garden at the Chelsea Flower Show and millions more will see it on T V and in news coverage.
Its aim is to showcase Yorkshire to the world and encourage people to visit and see the county’s beauty for themselves first-hand.
Sean McGinley, director for Yorkshire & North East at the Canal & River Trust, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Welcome to Yorkshire and offer our expertise and passion to help showcase the county’s spectacular waterways to the world through this beautiful canalthemed garden.
“Spending time on or by your local canal can make you feel happier and healthier, so we hope this garden will encourage more people to get out by Yorkshire’s beautiful waterways to reap the benefits.”
The garden has been designed by Mark Gregory, whose 2018 Dalesinspired Welcome to Yorkshire garden won a Gold Medal, the coveted People’s Choice Award and the Best Construction prize.
He said: “I am really pleased the Canal & River Trust have come on board, as they are the perfect fit for this year’s Welcome to Yorkshire garden.
“It’s so important to tell the story of just how vital the canal system was to this country, its engineering and sheer scale: the motorways of their time.
“And from that, to their use today as an essential part of the leisure and tourism industry and a valuable environmental resource.
“This garden will showcase the importance of canals right across Yorkshire and beyond.
“It will be a big challenge for myself and the team, but so much fun. We can’t wait to get started.”
Sir Gary Verity DL, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “It’s great to have Canal & River Trust on board to help us make sure our 2019 RHS Chelsea garden is authentic and truly represents Yorkshire’s stunning waterways.
“It’s our 10th trip to the prestigious flower show as we celebrate the organisation’s 10th year – so it’s extra special.
“Together we will show the world why a visit here is essential, with towns, cities, coastline, countryside and of course our beautiful canals just waiting to be explored.”