The Princes Trust makes a Personal Journey in Cheshire

The Prince’s Trust will be undertaking its first ever Show garden at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park (18 – 22 July), with the aim of portraying the ‘Personal Journey’ of the young people helped by the charity.

Designed by Janine Crimmins, who won an RHS Gold medal for her BBC North West Tonight garden at last year’s show, the project is particularly special because a number of disadvantaged young people will be helping to build the garden in the lead up to the show. Some of the young volunteers will come from Cheshire Fire Service’s Team Programme, and some will be young offenders from Thorn Cross in Warrington, who are currently working on gardens within the institution to improve their skills.

Janine says, “It was a real honour to be able to design this garden, as not only does it represent the great work that both The Prince’s Trust and Cheshire Fire Service do for young people, but the project is enabling some of these disadvantaged youngsters to enhance their skill sets by actually building the garden and being able to see the results of their hard work.”

‘A Personal Journey’ will symbolise the transition of a young person seeking growth and self improvement, culminating in a sense of achievement and renewed confidence for the future. The garden has been created to appeal to young people, incorporating a contemporary style and structure, packed full of hot and fiery colour tones of bright red, orange, yellow and purple planting.

Janine tells the story through design with loose slate pathways providing an entrance to the space that all lead in different directions to represent the variety of life choices that can be made by young people. At the front of the garden the planting is designed as chaotic and unorganised, becoming becomes neat and ordered towards the back of the space to illustrate how the Trust helps young people to take control of their life.

The garden also features areas for relaxing and entertaining, including a deck, built-in seating and a raised lawn, with soothing sounds brought about by water trickling into a large well.

The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park takes place between 18 and 22 July, with 18 July reserved for RHS members. To book tickets call 0870 842 2229 or visit www.rhs.org.uk/flowershows.