The Girlguiding Centenary Garden has been awarded a Silver-Gilt
Medal at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2010.
Designed by Philippa Pearson, six-time RHS medal winner, the
garden explores modern guiding and the experiences of Girlguiding’s
half a million members. Philippa was also inspired by the views of
Rainbows (5-7 years), Brownies (7-10 years) and Guides (10-14
years) and what they thought the garden should include.
The Girlguiding Centenary Garden has five main
areas and its entrance recognises the beginnings of the
organisation by using plants that were commonly available in
1909, planted in the style of Gertrude Jekyll – one of the
foremost female garden designers of the time. The remaining four
areas reflect the elements that members say make Girlguiding a
unique and thriving organisation.
Guiding's provision for a space for 'girl time' is
represented by a tent-like tensile structure for activities.
Guiding's open-to-all, active encouragement
and supporting diversity policy is shown by
an area with international and unusual vegetables, fruit and
herbs. Members are shown on film taking part in a range of
activities, representing guiding's evolution to remain
relevant to today’s girls. A turf landform with a chill-out
area for thinking and discussion represents how girls in guiding
have their views and opinions heard.
Garden designer Philippa Pearson said: 'This has been the most
exciting and fun show garden I’ve created and it has been a real
privilege to work with Girlguiding. The garden and everyone in the
organisation deserves this Silver-Gilt Medal, it’s been a real team
effort to get the ideas off the ground and the garden constructed.
Well done girls!'
Claire Rees, from Girlguiding, said: 'Winning a Silver-Gilt
Medal during our Centenary year is a fantastic achievement for
everyone who has been involved with creating the garden, from the
Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section members, who shared
their opinions with Philippa last year, to the volunteers who
helped with the construction of the show garden, and of course
Philippa herself.
'Watching the Girlguiding Centenary Garden take shape, from
ideas and drawings to a fully-fledged interactive garden that is
led by the experience of today’s girls and young women, has been an
incredible experience.'
The Girlguiding Show Garden was also visited by the
organisation’s President HRH the Countess of Wessex on 5 July.
In addition to the show garden, 24 groups of Rainbows, Brownies
and Guides have created plant displays in recycled or reclaimed
containers and girls have used items such as barbeques, lobster
pots, umbrellas, and even a prosthetic leg, to create their
displays.
Guides and the Senior Section (aged 14-25 years) have put
together balconies designed around the theme of Girlguiding’s
Centenary Ultimate Adventures, which include sailing around the
British Isles, trekking to Everest Base Camp and supporting
development projects in Africa.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more information or interviews contact Jessica Peters on 020
7592 1733 or jessica.peters@girlguiding.org.uk
The attached photos show the Silver-Gilt Medal-winning
Girlguiding Centenary Garden. Further photos and plant lists are
available.
For more information about Philippa Pearson visit http://www.philippapearson.co.uk/ (this
link opens in a new window)
Girlguiding is the UK’s largest voluntary organisation for girls
and young women, with around half a million members and recognised
volunteers. Over a third of girls and young women (aged seven to
21) are involved in guiding or have been in the past, and almost
half of all the women in the UK have been involved in guiding at
some stage in their lives. We run Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and
the Senior Section, enabling girls and young women to develop their
potential whatever their ability or background. We are striving to
offer new opportunities to a broad diversity of communities through
our expanding network of 60,000 trained volunteer Leaders.
At Girlguiding we seek to give girls a voice and provide a
unique, girl-only space where members feel comfortable just being
themselves. Our members, challenged by a girl-led programme that
extends beyond badges, enjoy a spectrum of activities from outdoor
adventure to pop-concerts to community action.
Girlguiding, part of a worldwide Movement of approximately 10
million girls and young women in 145 countries, launched its
Centenary celebrations in September 2009. Registered Charity No:
306016.