Yorkshire garden wins gold at Chelsea show

Photo by RICHARD YOUNG/REX/Shutterstock (9687892cp) Welcome to Yorkshire garden Designed by Mark Gregory from Landform. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018, May 2018 Chelsea Flower Show, Press Day, London, UK - 21 May 2018

Now the Welcome to Yorkshire scene, inspired by the Yorkshire Dales, has won a gold medal in the Show Garden category at this year’s event. The garden has been lovingly created by Yorkshireman Mark Gregory, who is marking his 30th consecutive year at the prestigious show.

His design evokes a stunning Yorkshire landscape, with dry stone walls, flower-filled meadows, a fast-flowing steam and tumbling beck. Centre stage is a picturesque and authentic stone bothy with a beautiful cottage garden filled with flowers and veg.

The garden proved a hit with celebrity and VIP guests who were wowed by a Yorkshire brass band and a genuine Wensleydale sheep at the launch on press day. Welcome to Yorkshire is now looking forward to thousands more people seeing the garden throughout the week.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “I’m thrilled. The garden is a credit to everyone who’s worked on it and to Yorkshire.”

He added: “I’m delighted for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the Wensleydale Creamery and all the businesses in the Yorkshire Dales who put  so much love and care into making it not only one of the most special places in the UK, but also in the world and I hope this recognition makes them all really proud.” Mr Verity added that the Queen was enchanted by it and made “some beautiful comments” as she toured the exhibit.

Mr Gregory, of Landform Consultants, said: “I’m completely blown away and feeling really quite emotional.”

Meanwhile, Richard Clegg, of Holmfirth, has received gold at the show for dry stone wall-building. He built the walls alongside his two sons.