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The cloud with a silver lining

Sue Carr
25/ 7/2007

TORRENTIAL rain may have dampened spirits at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show.

But after judges saw his horticultural efforts, Glossop gardener Nicholas Boult was home and dry with a prestigious silver medal.

Nicholas, together with Stockport-based designer Mary Hoult, swapped flower power for herbs and vegetables to create a garden for Cancer Research UK.

The healthy exhibit, entitled 'Thyme and Money,' signified that without time and money, scientific research cannot move forward.

Nicholas, a Tatton Park veteran who has won a medal at every show so far, said: "We had a week to build the garden and about half a day of dry weather - apart from that it just threw it down all the time.

"I've built 34 show gardens and I've never had to build one in weather like that.

"We had a big tarpaulin so we were building it under that for two days until the wind blew it into someone else's garden!"

Judges delayed their tour of the Knutsford park for six hours so the hundreds of gardeners could finish their creations.

Lorry-loads of wood chippings were also spread across the site so visitors didn't get stuck in the mud.

Nicholas, 41, won silver in the back-to-back gardens category which shows how even small spaces can be transformed with a little imagination.

He added: "It was tiring and I'm glad it's over but it went well. Despite the rain, it was packed all the time and the charity was really pleased with the money we collected.

"To get any medal at the RHS is an achievement because the standard is so high so we are happy with a silver."