Back in July it was revealed that Joe Swift, beloved presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World and multiple RHS Chelsea Gold Medal Winner, was a finalist in the Society of Garden Designers 2021 Awards.
After months of anticipation, the winners were finally revealed on Friday 15th October at The Landmark Hotel in London and Joe was deservedly among them, winning the Healing, Learning or Community Landscapes & Gardens award for his stunning design of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville!
The judges said that the garden, which is located at the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC) in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, is “an absolutely phenomenal space demonstrating exceptional quality of design and execution.”
Everyone was naturally thrilled for Joe, with countless attendees stopping to congratulate him on his exceptional creation throughout the evening. Many also took the time to speak with Head Gardeners’ Leader and former Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville, Jacqui Martin-Löf, current Head Gardener of the horticultural haven, Amy Moffett, as well as the charity’s Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, and trustee David Chapple FRCS. Echoing Joe’s words on Instagram, all those attending agreed that the award was a testament to the whole team’s skill and dedication, including the incredible volunteer team who care for the garden as if it were their own.
Being one of the most important evenings in the garden design calendar, Arit Anderson and Ann Marie-Powell both appeared at the event, each of them congratulating Joe on his achievement and both sharing their appreciation for all that we do to bring the beauty and benefits of nature to people across the UK.
Fellow Horatio’s Garden designers Cleve West and Andy Sturgeon were also there to celebrate, each of them pleased to be a part of the occasion and evidently delighted for both Joe and the charity.
In addition to being one of the evening’s winners, we were also honoured to be chosen as the SGD Awards’ charity partner. Being amongst so many supportive friends of Horatio’s Garden was a real privilege and we are so grateful to everyone who generously donated as part of the evening’s proceedings.
With the Society of Garden Designers being the only professional association for garden designers and representing the very best of the industry both nationally and internationally, it was a real pleasure to not only be recognised by the organisation, but to be part of an event acknowledging so many incredible gardens, landscapes and, most importantly, their designers.
Congratulations to each and every winner and thank you to The Society of Garden Designers for hosting a truly brilliant, fun and insightful evening.
