Derby College Students Win Gold at Harrogate Show

Horticulture students at Derby College's Broomfield Hall campus have scooped gold for the second year running at the Harrogate Flower Show.

Derby, United Kingdom, April 16, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Horticultural students at Derby College's Broomfield Hall land-based studies campus have clinched the coveted gold medal for the second year running at the prestigious Harrogate Flower Show with a garden inspired by Prince Charles' Highgrove estate and featuring a tribute to the forthcoming Royal wedding.

This year's design is entitled Trompe d'Royal and combines sustainability with impressions of Highgrove. The garden fought off stiff competition from four other colleges and four contractors who entered the garden competition at the show.

Broomfield Hall's entry echoes Highgrove with features including the Wall of Gifts, the stumpery, the fleur-de-lits gate and grassland areas. The Trompe d'oiel painting gives the illusion that the design is part of a larger garden.

Pride of place goes to three Captain Windsor pots (replicating those at Windsor Castle) to commemorate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Kate and William are represented with pots at the front of the garden while Prince Charles looks on in the background.

Sustainable features include a wind harvester, composting area and a living wall. All materials have been reclaimed from disused railways, old paths and the planting has a royal theme with gold and purple hostas, bamboos, ferns and digitalis as well as strawberries growing on the pergola roof.

One of the students involved, Josh Rogers (20) from Ripley said: "The judges came around yesterday and were very impressed but we were delighted to turn up this morning and find the gold medal on the display board outside.

"We have been working 12 hour days since Monday to set up the garden and were working right up to the last minute yesterday before the judges came round.
"It is brilliant that all the hard work has paid off and we will be taking it in turns to be on the stand at the show until Sunday to talk to visitors and then take the garden down and bring it back to Broomfield on Monday."

Horticulture lecturer Mike Baldwin explained: "More than 50 students have been involved in creating the garden and they have done a brilliant job.

"When we were set the theme of Highgrove, we were keen to reference the forthcoming Royal wedding combined with sustainable features and I am delighted that the judges have appreciated and rewarded the work that has been done.
"As soon as the show finishes, we set to work dismantling the garden and bringing everything back to Broomfield where will re-plant in the grounds for students and visitors to enjoy."

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Mike Baldwin, Derby College: 07887 915118
Sarah Jenkin-Jones, PR Officer, Derby College, Tel: 07951 945 665; sarah.jenkin-jones@derby-college.ac.uk
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