Giant inflatable and plants galore at show
GARDEN-LOVERS and show-goers from across Hinckley and Bosworth are gearing up to attend a new horticultural treat in the summer calendar.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) which runs the worldfamous Chelsea Flower Show in London is launching a similar event to be held in the grounds of Chatsworth House in Derbyshire from June 7 to 11.
Just one-and-a-half hours’ drive from Hinckley (about 70 miles) day-trippers will benefit from all the attractions of Chelsea - show gardens, installations, plant and garden sales, exhibitions and learning zones - without the hassle of travelling to the capital.
In contrast to Chelsea’s confined Royal Hospital site, the Chatsworth showground spans 43 acres of rolling Derbyshire countryside, with the River Derwent running through it.
Three new, temporary bridges are to be installed specially for the event, which is taking as its theme Design Revolutionaries.
Chatsworth was the testingground for Joseph Paxton’s greenhouse construction which led to him designing the famous Crystal Palace in London.
His first construction, the Great Conservatory at Chatsworth, which was demolished in the 1920s, is to be replicated for the show with an inflatable copy.
Supported by pottery giant Wedgwood, which is also sponsoring a show garden by Chelsea medal-winning designer Sam Ovens, the event promises to be something extra special.
RHS director of shows Nick Mattingley said: “We have been focusing on creating an exciting, life- enhancing, vibrant show that different from any other.”
The inflatable Great Conservatory will rise to 14-metre high dome, forming the centrepiece of a floral marquee and housing an art installation plus stands from more than 80 nurseries and growers.
An exhibit will tell the story of Paxton and of a dwarf banana named after the Cavendish family who owned the estate and from which most commercially grown bananas are said to be derived.
Artisan food and rural crafts will be celebrated in designated zones.
As well as eight show gardens to be judged by RHS assessors, there will be eight FreeForm installations for visitors to vote on, six show features plus displays of traditional Derbyshire well-dressing.
Among the FreeForm gardens will be one along the banks of the river created by Chelsea gold medal-winning designer Jo Thompson is for Brewin Dolphin.
She said: “I wanted to design a garden that does justice to the majestic setting of Chatsworth House and that maximises the beautiful views and natural curves of the landscape.
“Chatsworth has a rich history of combining the surprising and contemporary with the historic and traditional, it’s this spirit that I wanted to reflect in The Brewin Dolphin Garden.
“The sheer size and scale of the setting has allowed me to push the boundaries and create something that I hope will truly inspire and excite everyone who visits and provide a spectacular contemporary viewpoint from which they can enjoy the historic vistas.”
More than 85,000 visitors are expected to attend.
Full visitor and ticket information can be found on the RHS website