In recent years, our Friendly Benches at Brandon and Halesowen have garnered admiration from RHS judges, with our Network Members winning National Final Gold and our The Friendly Bench Brandon clinching a prestigious 'Special Recognition award'. This accolade reflects not just our dedication but also the community's enthusiasm for communal gardening.
Excitingly, the ripple effect of our project extends to this year's Chelsea Flower Show (21-25 May). An RHS garden will spotlight community gardening and it's impact on building friendships, a nod to the growing interest we've seen. The Friendship Garden, crafted by Jon and James Wheatley, stands as a testament to the 60th anniversary of RHS Britain in Bloom. It's a celebration of the connections forged and the social dividends reaped through collective gardening efforts.
Jon Wheatley encapsulates the essence of our project, stating, “The garden creates a space where people can come together and make new connections at a friendship bench. It is designed to be something accessible that volunteers can recreate in their own communities.”
As we anticipate the Chelsea Flower Show, we're filled with pride at the prospect of our project's influence reaching even greater heights, inspiring more communities to join hands and bloom together. Read more about the garden here: RHS Britain in Bloom 60th Anniversary: The Friendship Garden