My day at the Chelsea Flower Show.

My contacts and work with the charity WaterAid gave me a very exciting opportunity last week.
The chance to work at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on the WaterAid Garden. A passion for the charity and gardening meant that this couldn't be more suited for me. Although a lot of what I do for the charity involves coordination and promotion, I do like a bit of graft to give something back. 

I received my information pack all about the garden. Including the design drawings and the back ground. 
The garden was inspired by WaterAid's life changing work in India. It was sponsored and paid for wholly by international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. The designers, who i spent most of the day with, were such lovely people. Patricia and Janet. 

The show opened on Monday and the garden was opened by Ringo Star. On the Tuesday morning we learned the fantastic news that the garden has won a gold medal! I eagerly watched TV that night to see the ladies sqealing with joy upon opening their little envelope!

This just got better and better. Not only was I about to visit a fantastic show, I was privalaged to help out on an gold medal winning garden!

I took the coach down, which meant a 5am start. (ouch!)

After a long sleep on the coach I arrived in a very rainy, grey London. After walking around in the totally wrong direction I asked someone to help me with my sopping wet map. He told me that I could try to walk, but wouldn't i rather get on a bus? (yes, a big red bus with "Chelsea flower show!"plastered all over it!)

Google Indian Floriculture to find out more =)

After a short journey I arrived! My WaterAid contact came out to meet me and I was in!
I was so excited to get to the garden! On my arrival, I was blown away! A sea of golden Marigolds! 

A key feature of the garden was a rainwater harvesting 'jar' designed by the girls but built by TV presenter Tommy Walsh. The jar collects water in times of high rainfall - saving it for use in times of water scarcity or when flooding has contaminated ground water sources. Rainwater harvesting jars provide a nearby safe source of clean water, freeing up time for women to go to work and children to attend school. 

The backdrop of the Artisan garden is a simple house on stilts with a veranda. The surrounding garden is ablaze with colour -  marigolds, roses and hanging garlands - flowers that are grown and sold in the cut-flower industry, a big business in India.

Honored!-Patricia (left) me (middle) and Janet (right) 

Standing in a sea of Gold! Notice the garlands in the back ground? 

The weather was totally and utterly terrible and if it wasn't chucking it down, it was hammering it down instead. I must have hit 100 people with my massive brolly. One of the great things about the day was the public. They were interested, receptive and great to talk to. Even in the pouring rain people took the time to ask questions about the garden.

Not perturbed by rain!

Gold!!

WaterAid tap stand, transforming lives- it's not just drinking water!

For more information about WaterAid and the garden, please click on the link.WaterAid UK - News and media - Garden wins gold at RHS Chelsea

I just want to finish off by saying, despite the rain and the enormously long day, I had a fantastic time. I was honored to work with Janet and Patricia, and I want to thank WaterAid for giving me the opportunity to do this.

The garden was amazing, and the work of WaterAid is amazing. I have offered to go again next year to help them plant plants and I hope they take me up on the offer.

=)