A pair of talented horticulturists from Reaseheath have triumphed by taking gold medals for their garden designs at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2024.
Aspiring landscape architect Harry Dean, from Winsford, received one of just four Gold medals awarded in the Long Borders category, while Horticulture graduate Callum Corrie, from Mobberley, took Gold in the RHS Young Designer of the Year competition on the show’s opening day.
The Young Designer awards are open to entrants aged 28 and under and recognise the talent of next generation garden designers and landscapers.
Nineteen-year-old Harry, who is studying for a BSc (Hons) Landscape Architecture at University Centre Reaseheath, created the stunning show garden, titled A Gourd Time, which not only celebrates the 100th birthday of his community allotment, Over Allotments in Winsford, but also serves as an inspiration for visitors to embrace the ‘grow your own’ movement.
Harry, along with support from his fellow allotment team members Tanneth Griffiths, Fran Davies, Mary Simpson and Tina McLeod and others, created the garden to showcase the potential of vegetable gardening, regardless of space limitations. The display featured a variety of vegetables, fruits, and flowers grown by plot holders at Over Allotments.
The inspiration for the design stemmed from a historical event in 1990, when a massive pumpkin grown by former allotmenteer Albert Palfreyman set a (brief) British record, weighing in at an enormous 579 lbs!
Harry’s journey to this prestigious award began with his involvement in the pre-show preparation of a gold medal-winning garden at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park last year. This experience sparked his passion for creating a show garden himself.
Over Allotments, established in 1924, has been a central hub for Winsford’s grow your own community. With more than 60 plots and a long waiting list, it serves as a testament to the town’s commitment to local food production.
“It’s a huge honour to be able to celebrate 100 years of growing local produce with a show garden at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park,” Harry said.
“Competing at such a high level is a challenge, but everyone on the team has been incredibly supportive.”
A Gourd Time not only achieved gold status but also served as a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Over Allotments community. Harry received sponsorship from Acorn Landscape Services, Atlantic Timber, Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Cliff Dickenson & Son, Ford Dealership, all local businesses. And following the show, the garden will be relocated to Over Recreational Ground in Winsford for the town’s residents to enjoy.
Beaming with pride after receiving his RHS Gold medal, Harry said. “I feel relieved, but I’m absolutely buzzing, I’m really, really made up!” He also thanked his allotment team for helping him along the way. Adding to the day’s excitement, Harry had the chance to meet and chat with gardening personalities Adam Frost and Frances Tophill.
Harry wasn’t the only gold award winner on Wednesday with links to Reaseheath.
Callum Corrie, from Mobberley, studied Horticulture at Reaseheath College in 2014/15 and in April this year set up his own business, Callum Corrie Garden Design.
Callum Corrie and Reaseheath College lecturer Chard Spicer at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2024.
Located in the show’s New Designers section his garden, titled Entertaining Meets Nature, is an outdoor sanctuary where people and wildlife alike can congregate and relax.
Callum, who won Gold at last year’s show with his Long Borders entry, was interviewed by the Gardener’s World team and is hoping to be featured in programme’s RHS Flower Show Tatton Park round up tonight, Friday.
He said: “The idea was to create a stylish space that was also good for wildlife, somewhere that you can socialise, chill out a bit, but also somewhere that’s great for pollinators and other species.
“I can’t believe we got gold! I’m absolutely buzzing with the result – it’s been one of the best experiences of my life!”