Garden paving manufacturer, Bradstone, has supported the MS Society’s ‘A Journey to Hope’ garden which has been awarded a Silver Merit award at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, held at Birmingham’s NEC from 15th-18th June.
Designed by Mike Baldwin of Derby College, this inspiring and emotive garden illustrates the journey of those who suffer with MS, from pre-diagnosis to living with the disease and beyond.
To help raise awareness for the 100,000 UK sufferers of the disease and to show its support for the tremendous work that the MS Society undertakes, Bradstone pledged a quantity of Natural Limestone in Azure, along with building sand and MOT type 1, to help create this touching garden concept.
With its dramatic shades and distinctive natural veining, the outstanding visual appeal of Natural Limestone, coupled with its superb strength and durability, supports the messages of the ‘A Journey to Hope’ garden.
Visitors enter the garden at a point in life before diagnosis where planting is bright and vibrant, before coming to a bridge supported by the strength of caring hands. This is then juxtaposed with a range of soft and spikey foliage, highlighting the devastating effects of diagnosis and the good and bad days that sufferers endure.
Once visitors have crossed the bridge, the garden develops into an area representative of post-diagnosis, centred on a calming retreat, displaying how integral support networks are to patients, helping them feel more relaxed, calm and hopeful for the future.
Designer Mark Baldwin and his team from Derby College started planning the garden this time last year as it’s one of the largest projects they’ve ever undertaken, meaning they have had to call on a variety of staff and over 50 students to help progress the design and build.
Andrew Singleton, Sales Director for Bradstone, said: “We have a long history with Derby College and are delighted to be able to support the MS Society’s Garden. The design is striking but the message is important too, highlighting the journey and range of emotions that those diagnosed with MS experience.
“What Mark and his team have achieved is truly outstanding and we’ve enjoyed seeing how he has incorporated our Natural Limestone in the project. By seeing such bright, imaginative planting and landscaping combinations, we trust that homeowners visiting the show will be able to take away some top tips and inspiration for transforming their own outdoor space.”
