Scottish garden designers win prestigious award at Chelsea show
Nick Burton and Duncan Hall, known professionally as Burton Hall Garden Design, were awarded their first Silver Gilt medal for their Down's Syndrome Scotland garden at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show.
The garden, which is set to be permanently relocated to Palacerigg Country Park in North Lanarkshire following the show, was inspired by co-designer Hall's nephew, Liam, and aims to highlight the unique qualities of and challenges faced by those with Down's syndrome.
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The pair said of their win: 'We are over the moon to win our first Silver Gilt medal at RHS Chelsea for our 'Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden', which has all been made possible by the generous funding provided by Project Giving Back.
'We hope visitors are drawn in by the garden's lush, woodland planting, but also take a moment to look a little closer and see the deeper meaning and themes woven into its design.
'We hope our garden will allow people to reflect on the daily challenges faced by people with Down's syndrome, so they can reconsider misconceptions about their abilities, and appreciate the many joyful, positive qualities they bring on a greater level to society.'
References to Down's syndrome can be found throughout the garden, including a 'hug' structure decorated internally with cushions co-designed by the Down's Syndrome Scotland community and benches featuring 21 slats and three sets of legs to represent the chromosomal cause of the condition.
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One bench features a plaque engraved with a Gaelic proverb, which translates to 'hard as the heather, lasting as the pine', and was chosen by the designers as a representation of the 'hope of fulfilled potential' for people in the Down's syndrome community.
A number of other Scottish designers assisted with the project, such as Edinburgh-based cabinet makers Laurence McIntosh and ceramic artist Frances Priest.
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