Actual Landscapes My Name’5 Doddie Memorial Show Garden
Introduction
The Larch Cladding Company is proud to have played a part in a truly meaningful project: the Actual Landscapes My Name’5 Doddie Memorial Show Garden. Featured at the prestigious RHS Tatton Hall in July 2024, this remarkable garden honours the life and legacy of legendary rugby player Doddie Weir, raising awareness and funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research through the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
This heartfelt initiative, led by an award-winning team of designers and contributors, combined artistic vision and community effort to create a beautiful and inspiring space.
Project Overview
The My Name’5 Doddie Memorial Show Garden was conceptualised by renowned designer Pip Probert, known for her award-winning designs and appearances on BBC’s Your Garden Made Perfect. Her vision was brought to life by the skilled team at Actual Landscapes, led by multi-award-winning landscape designer Rory Tompsett.
The garden serves as a tribute to Doddie Weir’s enduring courage and advocacy in the fight against MND. Featuring an array of elements that represent aspects of Doddie’s life, the garden captures the essence of his legacy while promoting awareness and support for the foundation in his name.
As sponsors, The Larch Cladding Company contributed essential materials to this project, including:
- Planed All Round (PAR) Larch Posts: Used to craft stunning stained glass structures, adding colour and elegance to the design.
- Larch Sleepers: Employed in constructing raised beds that house vibrant plants, enriching the garden’s visual appeal.
- Larch Cladding: Installed for the Memorial Wall, creating a serene and respectful backdrop to commemorate Doddie Weir.
The garden also involved other key contributors, including Jackson Nurseries for plant supply, Technical Water Services for water feature expertise, and Butterfly Conservation, which added a focus on biodiversity.
The Outcome:
The My Name’5 Doddie Memorial Show Garden was an undeniable success, captivating visitors at RHS Tatton Park with its stunning design and powerful message. The use of natural materials, including the larch timber products supplied by The Larch Cladding Company, seamlessly blended functionality and aesthetics.
Key highlights included the vibrant stained glass structures, the beautifully designed raised beds, and the Memorial Wall that provided a reflective space for visitors to honour Doddie’s legacy. The garden also promoted sustainability and biodiversity through its partnership with Butterfly Conservation and the inclusion of eco-friendly landscaping solutions.
The garden’s impact was further recognised through multiple prestigious awards, winning the People’s Choice Best in Show Award, RHS Silver Gilt, and Best Construction 2024. These accolades highlight the exceptional craftsmanship, innovative design, and meaningful tribute that the project brought to RHS Tatton Park.
This project not only showcased exceptional landscaping and design talent but also brought attention to the urgent need for MND research. Visitors were inspired by the garden’s message of hope and resilience, making it a standout feature of the RHS Tatton Park event.
People involved
The success of this project was made possible by the collaboration of talented and dedicated individuals and organisations:
- Pip Probert: The visionary garden designer whose concept brought Doddie’s story to life.
- Actual Landscapes: Rory Tompsett and his team, who meticulously executed the design.
- Cheshire Plants & Brentwood Moss Nurseries: Suppliers of the plants that added vibrant life to the garden.
- Landscaping Matters: Providers of high-quality landscaping materials.
- Technical Water Services: Experts in creating tranquil water features for the space.
- Arbtec Eco Supplies: Suppliers of eco-friendly landscaping solutions.
- Butterfly Conservation: Partners promoting biodiversity within the garden.
- Pavestone UK
- North Wales Creative Glass Studio: Glass Studio
- Luxury Garden Furniture UK: Pegolia
- Water World: Water Features
- Simon Probyn: Sculptor
- Aura 3D Visual Studio: 3D Renders
- Gordon Low Products: Pond Liners etc.