Fairtrade show feature takes centre stage at RHS Tatton

07/19/2006

Vale Royal Borough Council's show feature garden, Fairtrade - a journey from poverty at stand e/89, is set to delight visitors to this year’s Royal Horticultural Show at Tatton Park.

At 18 metres by 15 metres, the garden is one of the largest at the show and its theme celebrates the borough of Vale Royal having just been awarded Fairtrade status.

The planting is based on a South American landscape; chosen because Puerto Rico was the birthplace of the Fairtrade movement over 30 years ago. The lush tropical feel of the garden has been created using Musa Cavendish banana plants in the plantation, Cannas and Gingers for their stunning colours, Gunneras planted around the water feature and Butia and Trachycarpus palms which will tower over the garden at over three metres tall.

Cllr John Grimshaw, Lead Councillor for Recreation, Rural and Culture at Vale Royal Borough Council, said, "With this garden we are not only hoping to educate visitors about the Fairtrade ideology and where they can purchase Fairtrade products at no higher cost than regular goods, but we are also hoping to encourage the horticultural world to think more about using Fairtrade plants in their gardens."

Put together by the Council's green-fingered team that has already won four consecutive RHS Gold medals as well as 'Best in Show' at Tatton, the garden will take visitors on a journey through the vibrant atmosphere of a Fairtrade village complete with artisans, musicians and storytellers, and even a market place featuring stalls displaying Fairtrade goods from around the world.

A South American hut, provided by Ron-da'val Ltd, overlooks lush tropical plants, and the stunning 15ft waterfall, provided by Rock Themes International, symbolises the flow of money and prosperity that Fairtrade brings.

Cllr Mark Stocks, Lead Councillor for Environmental Policy, said: "Using Fairtrade as the inspiration for our show feature has presented our designers with many challenges and I believe they have created a truly magnificent and unusual garden. I hope garden enthusiasts will enjoy seeing the exotic South American planting and find our journey from poverty inspirational and enlightening."

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• Band Playing
• The Hut
• Deputy Mayor at RHS Tatton
• Girls Dancing

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Last modified: 20 July 2006