War Horse sculptor heads to Chatsworth

THE CREATOR of Market Bosworth’s much-loved War Horse will be riding out to Derbyshire to exhibit at the very first RHS Chatsworth Flower Show.

Tristen May, who makes bespoke galvanised garden seating, arches, obelisks and other decorative horticultural pieces from a workshop next to Whitemoors Antiques centre in Shenton, will be setting up stall at the inaugural Chatsworth show, which runs from Wednesday June 7 to Sunday June 11.

Mr May made the metal frame for the wickerwork war horse which stands between two flower beds in Park Street close to the entrance of the parish field.

It was commissioned by Bosworth in Bloom, which maintains the flower beds there, as a centrepiece for plantings marking the centenary of the start of the First World War in 2014.

The following year it was used to represent Richard III’s battle mount during the height of commemorations surrounding the king’s reinterment in Leicester Cathedral and it remains part of the Park Street display.

Mr May has been selected as one of more than 350 exhibitors from across the UK to take part in the inaugural Chatsworth show, which is being seen as a midlands version of London’s world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where Mr May will also be exhibiting this year.

Like Chelsea, Chatsworth will feature show gardens, installations, educational zones, plant and garden sales, across a 43-acre showground surrounding the famous stately home.

Among the expected 85,000 visitors will be two coach-loads from Barwell Garden Club who were among the first from this area to snap up tickets.

Woodlands Garden Centre in Stapleton is also organising a trip to the show.

Other retailers from around the area who will be exhibiting include Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery from Smisby, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch; Garden Exteriors Ltd from Grendon, near Atherstone; Rustic Carpentry from Whitwick; Brookside Nursery and Middleton Nurseries both from Tamworth; Ornate Garden rotating pods and lighting from Maxstoke, near Coleshill and Betty Bay Design home and giftware from Thurmaston.