Flower show prize for air ambulance garden

Designer Kate Smithson said she was "absolutely thrilled" about the prize

A garden tribute to an air ambulance charity has won a prestigious award at a North Yorkshire flower show.

Judges at Harrogate Flower Show said the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) memorial garden was "excellent" and awarded it Best In Show.

The Reflection and Remembrance Garden was designed as a place for people to go to reflect on experiences with the service, or remember loved ones, the charity said.

YAA, which has bases in West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire, said the garden "far exceeded" expectations and was "loved by visitors".

The garden was designed by York-based Kate Smithson and paid for with sponsorships from local charities and organisations, including The North of England Horticultural Society.

The reflective pool represents the varied landscapes that YAA helicopters fly over.

The garden was designed by York-based Kate Smithson and paid for with sponsorships from local charities and organisations, including The North of England Horticultural Society.

Regional fundraising manager for YAA, Tessa Klemz, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named as Best in Show.

"The garden has far exceeded our expectations and the show visitors all love it as much as we do."

"Kate’s design captures exactly what we were looking for - to create a place of memories, tranquillity and peacefulness,” she added.

Ms Smithson said: “It has been a real honour and privilege to have designed this garden for YAA and to work with such a talented landscaper in Nick Fryer and his team."

The charity, which has bases near Wakefield and at RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk, said the garden will go on display permanently at Roundhay Park in Leeds after the show.

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Related Internet Links

Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Harrogate Flower Show