Green fingered gardeners get design awards
GREEN fingered organisations from Macclesfield scooped awards at the Tatton’s RHS Flower Show.
The Cottage Garden Society won a bronze award for its garden, and The Herb Society – which has its head office in Macclesfield – bagged a silver- gilt medal for its reproduction of a 16th century herb garden.
The Herb Society moved to Macclesfield about a year ago and has more than 900 members country-wide.
It exhibited a garden based on the writings of John Gerard, a famous herbalist who was born near Nantwich in the 16th century.
Barbara Depledge, who
‘It’s a very exciting time for us. We have lots of exciting projects planned’
is chairwoman of the North West Herb Group and lives on Congleton Road in Macclesfield, said: “We had a reproduction of the Blackden Trust’s medicine house as it was built at the same time as John Gerard lived, as well as a number of herbs that would have been common at the time.
“We also met up with television presenter Rachel De Thame, who was very interested in our design. In fact she was talking about maybe covering a project we’re doing at the Blackden Trust recreating a 16th century herb garden there on the television.
“I have been a member of the society for almost 25 years and it’s a very exciting time for us. We have moved into new offices in Macclesfield and have lots of exciting projects planned.”
The Garden Cottage Society was awarded a bronze for its reproduction of a traditional cottage garden.
Bill Sowerbutts, of Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, has been a member of the society for more than 20 years.
He said: “Our garden was a real representation of a cottage garden and was very well received by the judges at the flower show.
“We had sweet peas, fox gloves and delphiniums.
“I have been involved in the show for a number of years and it really is great, the best event in the region for anything flower related.”