Congratulations to Birmingham City Council – including staff from Cofton Nursery – Darren Share and Floella Benjamin on winning a Gold at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower with their stunning Windrush garden.
The display represents those who came to Birmingham from the Caribbean on the Windrush, on the 70th anniversary of their arrival.
The display was envisioned and created in partnership between Baroness Floella Benjamin, patron of the Windrush Foundation and Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) ambassador, and Birmingham City Council.
The garden celebrates the legacy of the Windrush Generation, capturing their pioneering spirit. It includes 3D models of real people on a representation of the ship Empire Windrush, leaving the Caribbean and heading for England.
Opposite sides of the ship depict their journey: one side representing life in the Caribbean and the other representing Britain, including representations of the jobs that many of those on board the Windrush did once they arrived in Britain.
Baroness Floella Benjamin said: “The Windrush generation helped shaped British society. They are part of the rich tapestry of our culture and have had an influence on almost every aspect of our wonderfully diverse country.
“Creating a garden with the award-winning Birmingham City Council team, which encapsulates all the horticultural richness of the Caribbean and Britain, is both stimulating and joyful. I hope everyone who visits the garden feels some of that magic when they see the display.”
Darren Share, who led the work on the display for Birmingham City Council, said: “For us, this display presents a unique opportunity to tell the stories of Windrush passengers and their descendants, many of whom went on to play an important role in shaping the Birmingham we know today.”
The Chelsea Flower Show continues until Saturday 26th May. The display will then be rebuilt in Handsworth Park in time for the actual anniversary of the arrival of Empire Windrush in Britain on 22nd June.
CONGRATULATIONS to all involved in its creation!
Well done to @DarrenShare @CoftonNursery and of course @FloellaBenjamin Another brilliant #RHSChelsea GOLD for Birmingham – this time for our #WindrushGarden pic.twitter.com/U2QDeAiOKm
— LeaderofBirmingham (@BrumLeader) May 22, 2018
Caribbean side pic.twitter.com/rzmY2GDRQt
— Cofton Nursery (@CoftonNursery) May 20, 2018
Congratulations to @DarrenShare and his team and @FloellaBenjamin for winning GOLD with their #WindrushGarden at #RHSChelsea. Here, Darren talks us through elements of the award-winning garden. Find out more here: https://t.co/O9hEB1n69g pic.twitter.com/Sm5e791TEv
— Bham City Council (@BhamCityCouncil) May 22, 2018
Dolphins and typewriter keys. pic.twitter.com/Wn0mKtsrwN
— Cofton Nursery (@CoftonNursery) May 20, 2018