The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has today presented the prestigious Elizabeth Medal of Honour to Dr Olivia Chapple, founder and Chair of Trustees at Horatio’s Garden. At a ceremony at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Olivia received the award from Keith Weed, President of the RHS.
The Elizabeth Medal of Honour (EMH) is the highest RHS honour for UK non-horticulturalists that have significantly impacted the advancement of the science, art or practice of horticulture for the benefit of all generations and the environment.
The Elizabeth Medal of Honour was established in 2023 in remembrance of the late Queen Elizabeth II. In recognition of the duration of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, only 70 medals will be held at any one time. Olivia’s Elizabeth Medal of Honour is a conversion of her RHS Carew Pole Award, awarded in 2021 and is now the RHS Carew Pole Community Award.
Dr Olivia Chapple said: “When we started twelve years ago there was such little recognition of how important gardens are for rehabilitation. But today the effect of green spaces on how people can begin to come to terms with life changing events is well documented. I’m so proud that Horatio recognised the need for spaces for people with spinal injuries and their families and also staff – this award is really in recognition of that vision and how we have grown today to deliver seven groundbreaking extraordinary gardens with four more to come.”
Horatio’s Garden has now started work on its eighth garden at The Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre at Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, one year exactly since it began its life as the Best in Show winning garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, supported by Project Giving Back.