Capel Manor College Wins Gold for Innovative Garden Design at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair
Capel Manor College is thrilled to announce its Gold win at the prestigious BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair on 3 to 5 May 2024 in Beaulieu, Hampshire.
Capel Manor College’s project team, led by students currently studying the Professional Gardener Diploma, spearheaded the creation of an environmentally conscious garden called ‘Come Rain or Shine’ that incorporated sustainable practices and creative solutions. Inspired by nature-based solutions, the garden tackled climate change issues such as sustainable urban drainage, heat and water management, and plant selection for tough conditions.
This was Capel Manor College’s first time competing at the competition and as London’s environmental college, the students did a fantastic job at creating a sustainable garden in line with this year’s competition theme of “Gardening in a Challenging Climate”.
Peter Brammall, Principal at Capel Manor College said:
“We are delighted that our students were able to experience and compete in such a prestigious event as this and to see them awarded Gold by the judges is fantastic, a real testament to the knowledge and skills they have honed during their study programmes at the College.
I know they worked hard to design and execute the brief over the past few months before getting to build and share it with the public at the event itself. We are now looking forward to staging their garden design in a permanent setting within our display gardens at our Enfield Campus, so the public will continue to be able to enjoy it in the years ahead.”
Zephaniah Lindo, Team Leader of Horticulture and Professional Landscaping at Capel Manor College said:
“From concept through to build of the “Come Rain or Shine” garden our students have been dedicated to producing a garden that showcased their new knowledge and skills. Our students received plaudits from professional designers, landscapers and the visiting public during the event.
Their creativity and skills were recognised by the show judges and we are very proud to be awarded Gold. I am very grateful to all the students involved on this project, both at the College and those able to travel to build the garden in Beaulieu. I wish them all the very best in their horticulture careers and feel privileged to be part of their learning and transformation.”
With generous support from BBC Gardeners’ World, Capel Manor College received a £3,000 donation, matched by a contribution from the College itself. Materials for the project were graciously donated by sponsors Kebur Landscapes and RoLawn, further emphasising the collaborative spirit of the event.
Capel Manor College’s dedicated team of students expressed their commitment to going above and beyond, with many working extra days during the project timeframe and actively participating in the build, show and breakdown stages.
Following the competition, Capel Manor College aims to repurpose and reinstall the garden within its grounds, reinforcing the values of reuse, recycle, and reinvest. Capel Manor College’s Enfield Campus is the planned location for installation, ensuring the garden’s legacy lives on beyond the Spring Fair.
Full details of the College’s ‘Come Rain or Shine’ garden can be found here
For more information about Capel Manor College, visit capel.ac.uk
About Capel Manor College:
Capel Manor College is London’s environmental college, offering a diverse range of full and part-time courses in further and higher education for young people and adults. We embrace and promote inclusivity in land-based careers.
The College plays a vital role in the green agenda for the capital, equipping the next generation of land-based sector workers with the skills and knowledge needed to help preserve and protect London’s wildlife, national parks, and green spaces.
If students are looking for the next step after school, considering a career change or want to further their existing skills, they are taught by exceptional, industry-experienced tutors and gain renowned qualifications valued by land-based employers across the world.
As part of their studies, our students have the unique opportunity to obtain real-world experience and help take care of the College’s estates, gardens, farm, zoos and commercial businesses.
