Gardening Scotland 2016 – Gabriel Ash review
This year’s Gardening Scotland was one of the best ever!
Yet again, The Royal Highland Centre hosted the annual three day event, attracting 35,000 visitors and over 400 quality exhibitors from across the UK. (including the team at Gabriel Ash).
This year, the arena was bursting with eight large show gardens including the ‘Hive Jive’ which payed homage to the humble bumblebee, a prison garden showcasing the work of inmates from two of Scotland’s prisons and an outdoor space which demonstrates how society can effectively break down barriers to cancer care.
There was also a royal display to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday.
The Hive Jive garden, which won the coveted Premier Gold medal, was created by students from Scotland’s rural collages (SRUC). It was designed to help raise awareness of a bee’s value in the pollination of important food crops and wild cultivated flowers.
As well as highlighting facts about bees and their life cycles, it also informed visitors about the natural decline of the insect and ways in which we can help them thrive.
On winning the award, mature student and co-creator Joan Sayers said; ‘‘We are absolutely buzzing with delight at winning the Premier Gold medal – the only gold in the show – especially as the garden highlights the serious issue of the decline in all kinds of bee population in Scotland and around the world.’’
‘Within These Walls – A Journey Inside’ was designed and created by men from Glenochil prison in Alloa and women from Cornton Vale prison in Sterling. It showcased the horticultural knowledge and skills of more than 40 inmates from both prisons.
The garden design took visitors on a journey through the life of a prisoner – from the initial dark and lonely days to through to the brighter, more friendlier moments.
As mentioneed earlier, the Gabriel Ash team were also in attendance, having previously attended this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.
This time around, the team put up a beautifully decorative floral piece featuring festive bunting and also took part in the NCPCC’s ‘Pants Hunt’ initiative , designed to help prevent sexual abuse.
Sarah Monahan, sales executive at Gabriel Ash said; ‘‘Gardening Scotland is a fantastic show where we get to meet our most northern customers, which is wonderful.
‘‘The relaxed atmosphere brings in not just true gardeners but families wanting to learn more about gardening.
‘‘The show has show gardens, trade stands, craft centres and a section for educating children, including the NSPCC campaign, which we were delighted to be part of.
‘‘Light entertainment is also provided throughout the day which keeps everyone in cheery spirits.
‘‘For us it is about meeting old customers, meeting new customers and showcasing the quality of our structures.
‘‘We had a successful show and are always made to feel very welcome.
‘‘We’ll definitely be back next year.’’
Next year’s show promises to be just as good, with entertainment and additional attractions already being planned.
For information on next year’s show, including tickets, news and sponsor information, you can contact the team on info@gardeningscotland.com or visit their website.