Work began this week on recreating the 2015 Chelsea Flower Show garden designed by Matthew Wilson at the Earl Mountbatten Hospice on the Isle of Wight.
After 6 months of planning the relocation team, led by Craig Ratcliff of C.A.R Gardens, broke ground this week and set to work rebuilding the garden so children and families who benefit from services at the hospice can enjoy a beautiful outdoor oasis away from the rigours of their care.
Earl Mountbatten was chosen as the proud recipient of the 2015 Royal Bank of Canada show garden in recognition of its work developing services for children and their families on the island. Although the hospice has previously focused on adult hospice care, it has expanded its services to local children who need hospice care, along with their families, who have previously needed to travel to the mainland for treatment. The relocated garden will form part of the hospice’s offering to young patients giving them a beautifully designed outdoor space in which to relax.
Gemma Blamire and Aaron Rolf, whose daughter Sophie was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2012, have spearheaded the need for children’s hospice services on the island. The provision of children’s care on the Isle of Wight, which the Chelsea garden will add to, is part of Sophie’s ongoing legacy to help other children with life limiting conditions.
Emma Hanford, Garden Projects Manager for Greenfingers, commented: “We are delighted work is now underway on site to recreate the stunning Chelsea Flower Show garden here at the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. To see this beautiful garden rebuilt here will be extremely rewarding, particularly as it will be such a lovely outdoor space for everyone to enjoy.”
Nigel Hartley, CEO at the hospice, said: “We are all so pleased to see the Chelsea Garden beginning to take shape at the hospice. As I have said before, this garden is for the Island, so we are hoping it will be a reason for many to come and visit us, enjoying the garden as well as the rest of the facilities in the John Cheverton Centre”
