Derian House Hospice has clinched the prestigious gold award at this year’s Chorley Flower Show, impressing judges and visitors alike with their captivating garden display. The winning entry, aptly named “Giving Nature a Helping Hand,” was a testament to resilience and community spirit.
The garden, meticulously crafted by Derian House’s dedicated team and a host of volunteers, featured a thoughtful blend of elements aimed at rejuvenating their landscape. Among the highlights were saplings generously donated by the Woodland Trust, a vibrant selection of alpine plants, a meticulously crafted handmade pond, and innovative use of recycled materials, including a striking wooden hand sculpture hewn from trees felled by ash dieback disease within the hospice grounds.
Central to the garden’s narrative was Derian House’s ongoing “Build-A-Forest” campaign, which seeks to restore over 150 lost trees due to the aforementioned disease. Thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers and the support of charitable donors, the campaign has already seen the planting of 250 new trees, marking a significant step towards revitalizing the hospice’s woodland areas.
The garden’s debut at Astley Park during the Chorley Flower Show drew admiration not only from judges but also from distinguished guests like Speaker of the House of Commons and Chorley MP Sir Lindsay Hoyle. His praise underscored the garden’s aesthetic and environmental impact.
Cameron Murray, Derian House’s communications and marketing manager, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort behind the garden’s success, emphasizing the invaluable contributions of staff, volunteers, and supporters. Reflecting on the achievement, Murray remarked, “It was a real Derian team effort. Thank you to everyone who helped make our garden look as magnificent as it does today.”
Deputy leader of Chorley Council, Councillor Peter Wilson, lauded the community’s involvement in the event, highlighting the gardens’ splendor and the crucial partnerships with organizations like Derian House. “The community gardens are particularly spectacular this year,” Wilson noted. “Maintaining our partnerships with charities who undertake such commendable work, like Derian House, is of utmost importance.”
Derian House’s triumph at the Chorley Flower Show not only celebrates their dedication to environmental stewardship but also underscores their commitment to enhancing community well-being through horticultural innovation. As the “Build-A-Forest” campaign continues to blossom, Derian House remains poised to enrich the lives of families for generations to come.
