News

celebrating the silent solace of trees

The Tree Council are running National Tree Week from Saturday 28th November to Sunday 6th December and we’re joining in! Working together for the love of trees is something The National Tree Council are passionate about. They’re committed to bringing people together at a national and local level in order to care for trees, in turn helping to look after Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in which? gardening, penarth view and taspo garten design

This week we’ve been lucky enough to feature in three publications, with each highlighting a different aspect of our work.  We were enormously excited to learn that the opening of our fifth project, Horatio’s Garden London & South East, has been included in this month’s issue of Which? Gardening magazine.  The short piece appears in the early pages of the periodical, detailing some of the lesser-known facts about Read the Rest...

pop gardens support horatio’s garden

We’re absolutely delighted to be partnering POP Gardens, who have become the latest small business to generously support Horatio’s Garden.  The innovative enterprise was established by Lynne Evans, who wanted to combine her expertise in Occupational Therapy with her passion for the practical benefits of gardening to support wellbeing and recovery.  Her desire to do this led her to realising there was a gap in the Read the Rest...

information about our text to donate service

Texting to donate is one of the quickest, simplest ways to support Horatio’s Garden. Every penny of your generosity counts, helping us to improve the lives of everyone affected by spinal injury.  There are two messages we can use when asking our supporters to text to donate.  We usually use this one, which is for collecting donations only. This means that you will not receive any Read the Rest...

introducing our new charity face mask

We’ve been busy developing a brand new face mask which will soon be available on our Shop website to help you and your loved ones stay safe this winter and beyond. Our gorgeous mask has an outer organic cotton layer in a stylish print, designed exclusively for Horatio’s Garden by artist in residence, Katy McIntyre-Brown. The fabric design is based Read the Rest...

thank you to our virtual vitality 10k runners!

Whilst most of us have spent the past week sheltering from the wind and the rain, a brilliant host of Horatio’s Garden supporters have been busy braving the elements to complete the Virtual Vitality 10k!  The event usually takes place in London, with runners taking to the streets en masse to appreciate the capital’s sights in the glorious May sunshine. However, this year the race Read the Rest...

special sky cinema screening of new film, the secret garden, in horatio’s garden midlands

  Originally released to press Friday 16th October The beloved children’s novel has been newly adapted by the producer of Harry Potter and Paddington, at a more apposite time that ever, starring Dixie Egerickx, Colin Firth and Julie Walters For months now, the great majority of us have been escaping to all manner of green spaces, ready and willing to be transported by the enchanting Read the Rest...

dr olivia chapple on fresh from the pod

Avid listeners of Candide’s podcast, Fresh from the Pod, hosted by Tamsin Westhorpe, will have heard that today’s guest was none other than our Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple! To listen, please click here The podcast is all about Tamsin meeting and chatting about the gardening adventures of various inspirational people, with previous guests including Carol Klein, Read the Rest...

you shop, amazon gives

This winter, you can raise vital funds to help us continue supporting everyone affected by spinal injury by simply shopping with AmazonSmile. Ordering with AmazonSmile is exactly the same as ordering with Amazon, only the best part is that every time you shop the company makes a 0.5% donation of the price of all your eligible purchases to Horatio’s Garden. Read the Rest...

competition to celebrate the release of new sky original film the secret garden

It’s competition time! From the producer of Harry Potter and Paddington comes a brand new adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s timeless classic, The Secret Garden. Watch the trailer below The new Sky Original film releases in cinemas and on Sky Cinema on Friday 23rd October and courtesy of Sky Cinema, we’ll be holding a special, day-of-release screening in Horatio’s Garden Read the Rest...

become a horatio’s hero and support horatio’s garden wales

Thanks to many generous donations from a whole host of supporters, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re now in the final phase of fundraising for the capital appeal of our sixth project, Horatio’s Garden Wales!  Having all recently turned to our gardens, outdoor spaces and nature to help us through the past few months, many people have come to appreciate Read the Rest...

gardens illustrated feature new interview with dr olivia chapple

Gardens Illustrated have featured our Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, in their October issue in a moving interview thoughtfully written by Lia Leendertz.  The piece features alongside a new portrait of Olivia, befittingly captured by Charlie Hopkinson in Horatio’s Garden South West in Salisbury, where the charity’s story began almost a decade ago.  In the interview, Olivia traces her own love of the outdoors Read the Rest...

head gardener stephen writes for wiltshire life

Head Gardener Stephen Hackett was recently invited by Wiltshire Life to write a feature for their November 2020 issue, which resulted in him penning a timely piece complete with beautiful autumnal photographs of Horatio’s Garden South West.  The article spans three pages and thoughtfully begins by acknowledging the way in which Coronavirus and lockdown brought the importance and value of green spaces to the Read the Rest...

sheila’s volunteering story

Sheila McCosh is part of our wonderful volunteer team in Horatio’s Garden Scotland. Throughout lockdown and the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, all our volunteers have been absolutely incredible, doing whatever they can to support the charity. Whilst some, like Sheila, have been tending to the gardens, others have been busy at home crafting and hosting Zoom sessions for patients, with some Read the Rest...

sue stuart-smith in conversation with dr olivia chapple at the chelsea history festival

From 17th – 27th September, the Chelsea History Festival will be hosting an immersive mixture of digital and physical events to celebrate various elements of the borough’s intriguing past.  The Festival was co-founded by the National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Chelsea and Chelsea Psychic Garden, who are proud to host an annual programme of talks from world-class speakers, authors, thinkers and historians.  Whilst the format Read the Rest...

our new christmas card has arrived!

We’re thrilled to announce that our 2020 Christmas Card has arrived!  This year, our exclusive card has been designed by Vanessa Bowman, who is an acclaimed, Dorset-based, contemporary artist in oils. Please click here to shop to support  As you can see, Vanessa’s beautiful paintings observe the simple beauty of the everyday surroundings of her native countryside, observing the pattern and texture of the natural Read the Rest...

the sgd awards support horatio’s garden

The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) have announced that the SGD Awards 2021 will be supporting Horatio’s Garden!  The SGD is the only professional association for garden designers, with its many national and international Members representing the very best of the industry.  Having been established by a group of eminent landscape designers in 1981, they have been championing excellence in garden design ever Read the Rest...

head gardener imogen features in the english garden magazine

Head Gardener Imogen recently lent her expertise to The English Garden magazine, in a beautiful feature spanning four pages entitled ‘The Soul Garden’.  As a specialist in therapeutic horticulture, Imogen is an expert in curating and growing plants to calming effect. In the piece, which featured stunning horticultural photography, Imogen enumerated her top ten plants to inspire readers to create a garden with long term Read the Rest...

kitchen garden magazine feature horatio’s garden

Journalist Annabelle Padwick has kindly featured us in her recent article for Kitchen Garden Magazine celebrating every garden’s beneficial effects on our mental and physical wellbeing.  The feature was highlighting a few of the many charities that are all doing fantastic work in harnessing the therapeutic power of gardens and gardening, including our own.  Alongside Horatio’s Garden, the piece featured Thrive, Lindengate, Life at No. 27 and military rehabilitation charity, Highground. Each charity was Read the Rest...

melanie reid features horatio’s garden in the saturday times

Following the opening of Horatio’s Garden London & South East, journalist and charity ambassador Melanie Reid kindly featured our latest milestone in a thoughtful article for The Saturday Times Weekend. The piece opened with her own personal experience of her time in Scotland’s National Spinal Injuries Unit, where she spent over a year adjusting to her injuries. She describes the Read the Rest...

celebrating horatio’s garden stoke mandeville’s second birthday!

It’s hard to believe that Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville has now been open for two years, but time has flown by and today does indeed mark the garden’s second birthday! To celebrate, Head Gardener Jacqui decided to do a special tour of the garden, which you can watch below.  Please click on the relevant link to read more about Horatio’s Garden Scotland’s fourth birthday Read the Rest...

itv london film live from horatio’s garden

We had a surprise visit from ITV London on Friday 4th September, who kindly featured our brand new garden, Horatio’s Garden London & South East, in a live broadcast during their 6pm bulletin that very same evening!  Both Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, and the garden’s designer, Tom Stuart-Smith, featured as part of the piece and were interviewed as they meandered through the garden.  Olivia Read the Rest...

we’ve partnered with mind, body & soil

We’re absolutely delighted to announce that we’ve partnered with Mind, Body & Soil, a brilliant subscription service that’s part of the SmartPlant family! Please click here to find out more Remember to use code HORATIO for 30% off your first box! Unlike anywhere else, Mind, Body & Soil emphasise the importance of self-care through plant care by delivering a new Read the Rest...

summer stories from our gardens

Many of you will have been out in your gardens appreciating the fine summer weather this past month, as have plenty of patients, newly reunited families and NHS staff in each Horatio’s Garden across the country. Amidst all the present uncertainty, nature has remained a welcome constant throughout the past few months, helping to remind us that despite the challenges we face, Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden midlands: one year on

As unbelievable as it may seem, Horatio’s Garden Midlands has now been flourishing in Oswestry for a whole year, so in celebration we thought we’d take a look back at a few of our fourth garden’s highlights over the past 12 months. When the garden first welcomed patients and NHS staff in late August it became immediately clear that it Read the Rest...

shop small and support us this autumn!

We’ve been supported by some incredible people and businesses throughout the Coronavirus pandemic so far, so to thank them for their generous support we’ve written a little bit about each of them below.   Please click here to Shop * Boujee Beads  New jewellery start-up, Boujee Beads, has pledged to donate 10% of all sales to Horatio’s Garden for the foreseeable Read the Rest...

planting has begun in horatio’s garden london & south east!

This week our fifth garden at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore has been a hive of activity as we’ve begun filling the flower beds with all manner of greenery. A fantastic team of volunteers have been working tirelessly to plant up the garden, which was a meticulously organised process, alongside Head Gardener Read the Rest...

introducing ashley edwards, our new head gardener

We’re thrilled to welcome Ashley Edwards to the Horatio’s Garden team, who has recently become the Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden London & South East!  Ashley will be responsible for nurturing our fifth garden at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, with the support of our brand new London volunteer team. He will also be there to welcome and support patients, loved ones and NHS staff visiting the garden, Read the Rest...

arty afternoons: natural inspiration with louisa crispin

Louisa Crispin is the latest artist to create a video for our Arty Afternoons series, offering us all a little insight into how we can both capture and lose ourselves in the creative gifts of nature.   Having discovered a passion for drawing in 2010, Louisa often finds herself lost in a world of intricate natural observations. The self-styled ‘Artist Gardener’ is entranced by Read the Rest...

gardeners’ world magazine feature our new tea towel

We know lots of you will enjoy reading Gardeners’ World Magazine and this month there’s something particularly special to be found within its pages.  Our exclusive Horatio’s Garden Tea Towel, designed by artist Katy McIntyre-Brown, features in the August issue, alongside various other horticulturally helpful and inspired products! The product was released this summer in celebration of the start of the RHS Chelsea Flower Read the Rest...

an artist in lockdown by katy mcintyre-brown

Some of you may remember Katy McIntyre-Brown as one of our former Arty Afternoon contributors, where she gently taught us about capturing the beauty of bluebells on canvas. Despite having already lent us her artistic talents, this week Katy is back with a new video offering a glimpse into her creative world through lockdown, as well as providing advice on Read the Rest...

goodbye & good luck to chelsea lowe

Today we’re saying ‘goodbye’ to our wonderful WRAGS (Work and Retrain as a Gardener Scheme) trainee and friend, Chelsea Lowe. Chelsea has been an invaluable member of the team in Horatio’s Garden Scotland throughout her year-long placement. Her smile, friendship and endless enthusiasm has brought joy to everyone she’s met in the garden and we know that she will be Read the Rest...

head gardener imogen on bbc radio shropshire

Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden Oswestry, Imogen Jackson, featured on BBC Radio Shropshire today, speaking to Adam Green all about gardening in lockdown. If you missed Imogen’s interview, click here to catch up. You’ll find us around 2 hours and 10 minutes into the programme. Adam enthusiastically introduced the charity and Imogen, who began by telling listeners all about the Read the Rest...

we’re looking for an administration assistant in horatio’s garden oswestry

We are seeking an enthusiastic administrative assistant to provide support to the Head Gardener at the charity’s hospital garden project at The Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry. This high-profile garden, designed by Bunny Guinness, opened in August 2019 and is trailblazing the benefits of gardens and health. The role will Read the Rest...

remembering rose paterson

Everyone at Horatio’s Garden is extremely sad to learn of the loss of Rose Paterson at the end of June. Rose was a wonderful friend to Horatio’s Garden. As an appeal patron, Rose helped tirelessly and generously with the fundraising for Horatio’s Garden Oswestry at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital and we will be forever grateful for her kindness Read the Rest...

grow to give in garden media guild magazine

GMG News, the quarterly magazine of the Garden Media Guild, have kindly featured a little bit about our Grow to Give fundraising campaign in their Summer 2020 issue! To read the full article, please click here. You’ll find us on page 5! Having supported our new lockdown fundraising campaign from the beginning, the magazine got in touch to see how Read the Rest...

raising awareness of horatio’s garden wales

Our new project, Horatio’s Garden Wales, has been featured in both the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity Newsletter and Welsh Country, a magazine dedicated to life in the Welsh countryside.  Each piece explains how we’re collaborating with Cardiff & Vale Health Charity in order to create our sixth exceptional garden, which will be part of the new, state of the art Welsh Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre. Both Read the Rest...

arty afternoons with nell nicholas

After a brief hiatus, our Arty Afternoons are back and we’re starting with a brilliant video by artist Nell Nicholas. Some of you may remember Nell from her short residency in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury around this time last year. She spent a week drawing and encouraging patients to embrace their creative side amongst the planting, with some truly fantastic results. Read the Rest...

coronavirus update: horatio’s garden stoke mandeville

Another month of 2020 has passed in the blink of an eye, which means we have more stories for you from each of our beautiful gardens around the UK. Whilst lots of you reading this will know how important outdoor spaces are for everyone’s health and wellbeing, this year has truly placed the value of nature at the forefront of our collective consciousness. Just as your gardens, local Read the Rest...

coronavirus update: horatio’s garden scotland

Another month of 2020 has passed in the blink of an eye, which means we have more stories for you from each of our beautiful gardens around the UK. Whilst lots of you reading this will know how important outdoor spaces are for everyone’s health and wellbeing, this year has truly placed the value of nature at the forefront of Read the Rest...

bbc news feature amanda harris’ cycle challenge

Some of you may be aware that incredible supporter Amanda Harris recently completed her 150-mile at-home cycle challenge to raise funds for Horatio’s Garden Wales and now the story has captured the attention of BBC News!  To read the BBC Wales article, please click here.  To watch the BBC Wales report, please click ‘Play’ on the video below. BBC News Wales Read the Rest...

90 year-old andrew returns home to his family

Andrew Rodger, a patient who has spent time in both the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit and Horatio’s Garden Scotland since January this year, has recently made a triumphant return home after overcoming Coronavirus.  He was admitted to the spinal centre after a fall and whilst in the centre unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19. He was unwell for over seven weeks, but now that he is Covid-19 Read the Rest...

health is made at home – new book by lord nigel crisp

Lord Nigel Crisp, former Chief Executive of the English NHS, has recently written a new book entitled Health is Made At Home, Hospitals are for Repairs: Building a Healthy and Health-Creating Society.  Lord Crisp led major NHS reforms between 2000-2006, whilst he was also Permanent Secretary of the UK Department of Health. Since then, he has worked globally, with an emphasis on Africa, where he Read the Rest...

growing through lockdown, by chelsea lowe

Chelsea Lowe joined us almost exactly one year ago in Horatio’s Garden Scotland as part of the ‘Work and Retrain as a Gardener Scheme’ (WRAGS) run by the Women’s Farm and Garden Association (WFGA). Her position was largely funded by The Finnis Scott Foundation, which was established under the Will of Lady Scott (Valerie Finnis) in 2006. In honour of Read the Rest...

grow to give news

Lots of you have been getting involved with our new national fundraising event, Grow to Give, this summer and we’ve loved hearing how some of your garden gate sales have already raised incredible amounts for the charity! Grow to Give is all about small acts of kindness. At the beginning of lockdown, we began by encouraging everyone to leave fresh Read the Rest...

lesley’s volunteering story

The story of Horatio Chapple is one that no one can forget, but I first came to know about Horatio’s Garden when I went to a talk in Winterbourne Dauntsey village hall, given by Cleve West. This was in the autumn of 2012.  He showed slides of the ‘before’ and ‘after’ state of the garden and the transformation from mud to mixed Read the Rest...

coronavirus update

Throughout the Coronavirus crisis, Horatio’s Garden has been a lifeline for patients with spinal cord injuries and NHS staff who are currently living and working in hospital. “I am so proud of all the patients and staff, many of whom have been helping in the garden. To see everyone outside, not dwelling on their worries and hearing them chat and Read the Rest...

the importance of gardens for health and wellbeing in the salisbury journal

As part of the buzz around this year’s Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, reporter Katy Griffin of the Salisbury Journal got in touch to see how Horatio’s Garden have joined in with the show’s online events. The article mentions that there will be a little more than usual happening on the charity’s social media channels, with plenty of Chelsea-related content Read the Rest...

virtual rhs chelsea flower show

Today we would have been ready and waiting on Cross Way to welcome fellow garden enthusiasts to the world’s greatest flower show.  However, whilst we might be unable to celebrate with you in person this year, we will still be joining in with everything the RHS have planned as part of their Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show week.  Click here to visit the Read the Rest...

‘my favourite place’ by james alexander-sinclair

Acclaimed garden designer James Alexander-Sinclair may have brought gardens to life across Europe, but he shared with readers of Garden News that of all the gardens he’s designed, Horatio’s Garden Glasgow is his all-time favourite.  Writing a short article for the magazine he explained why this garden holds a particularly special place in his heart. Naturally, the fact that this Read the Rest...

the story behind our new tea towel

Click here to purchase our brand new tea towel.  Katy McIntyre-Brown has painted all her life.  Growing up between Highbury, North London and a rambling water mill on the Somerset coast, she was always drawn to the calming power of nature, particularly as it contrasted the harsh architectural forms of the city.  Her passion became her profession in 2005, when Katy and her Read the Rest...

katie’s story

Just two days away from graduating, Katie was busy living her life of passionate reckless abandon and love. Just two days away from graduating, Katie had an accident that would change her life forever. She decided to go for a swim to let off steam after a day spent working as an intern in London. Diving straight in without checking Read the Rest...

photography with richard foster

We’ve been supported by some fantastic artists throughout our Virtual Arty Afternoons series on YouTube and this week is no different! Our latest video comes from professional photographer, Richard Foster, who has generously taken the time to create this brilliant video to help all of us take the perfect picture with just an iPhone (or equivalent). As a leading specialist Read the Rest...

getting involved in garden day!

For those of you who may not know about Garden Day UK, it’s the chance for people to ‘down tools, don a flower crown and spend time celebrating their gardens’! The main thing is that it’s for everyone, whether you’ve got a garden, balcony, or simply enjoy tending to your house plants. This year the event was held on Sunday Read the Rest...

anneka rice mentions horatio’s garden in the daily mail

Veteran broadcaster and keen artist, Andrew Marr, recently launched the ‘Britain in Spring’ art competition in a long form article for The Daily Mail.  As the competition’s Head Judge, Marr explained that the competition is all about capturing any stunning ‘spring-scapes’ currently flourishing in the UK. Quoting artist David Hockney, who recently said under lockdown in France “Do remember they can’t cancel Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden oswestry in garden news magazine

Dr Olivia Chapple has introduced Garden News magazine readers to Horatio’s Garden Oswestry by writing a wonderful piece for their most recent edition. Following in James Alexander-Sinclair’s footsteps, who wrote about Horatio’s Garden Scotland for the ‘My Favourite Place’ feature, Olivia shares that for her our newest garden is ‘an uplifting island of calm in a very practical setting’. The article Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in the times

This week we were mentioned in Alice Thomson’s column for The Times which argued that the joy of gardens and gardening should be open to all.  The piece illustrated how lockdown has led to more people spending time in their gardens and indeed gardening than ever before, citing that nearly a third of a million people visited the RHS website to learn how Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in the observer

Horatio’s Garden was featured in a recent edition of The Observer as part of Kate Kellaway’s thoughtful review of Sue Stuart-Smith’s The Well Gardened Mind and Isabel Hardman’s The Natural Health Service. In her article Kate captures the essence of the two titles, which seem timelier than ever in light of the Coronavirus crisis, describing them as ‘a fascinating pair Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in pro landscaper magazine

Pro Landscaper magazine recently featured a brilliant article about Horatio’s Garden which asked the rather timely question of ‘How do gardens make a difference?’ As many of you will know, Horatio’s Garden regularly contributes to such discussions by demonstrating the various ways in which gardens have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of both patients with spinal injuries Read the Rest...

spring progress in horatio’s garden london

Despite the challenging times currently facing the UK, the team from ARJ construction have continued working incredibly hard to progress Horatio’s Garden London at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore. The most recent developments have been taking place in the glorious spring sunshine and the garden is slowly starting to resemble Tom Stuart-Smith’s designs. This week has seen the arrival Read the Rest...

virtual tour of slade in support of the national garden scheme

Click to watch Rosamund’s Tulip Tour of Slade.  As some of you may know, Rosamund Davies was due to open her beautiful garden in Slade in support of the National Garden Scheme this month. However, as Coronavirus has caused the National Garden Scheme to shut all its gardens for the foreseeable future, now Rosamund is giving you the opportunity to virtually visit her stunning garden as part Read the Rest...

grow to give in the press!

Over the Easter weekend our brand new Grow to Give fundraising campaign was featured by a variety of national and regional press teams, including The Sunday Times and BBC Wiltshire.   Journalist Helen Davies at The Sunday Times was sure to feature it in her article aptly titled ‘The importance of a garden is being recognised now – and felt – as never before.’ In the piece, Helen noted that the importance of Read the Rest...

virtual arty afternoons

We’re giving everyone the chance to join in with our new Virtual Arty Afternoons, with the aim of gently encouraging people everywhere to embrace their creative side. The first two videos have been created by wonderful young artist, Alice Penrose, who is currently studying Biology at University of Oxford. Prior to her beginning her undergraduate degree, Alice gained a Foundation Read the Rest...

designs form for horatio’s garden cardiff

Many of you will know that we have now begun fundraising for our sixth project, Horatio’s Garden Cardiff. As part of the redevelopment of University Hospital, Llandough, we were invited to create a garden for the brand new, purpose-built spinal and neurological centre which is due to open in summer 2021. As every Horatio’s Garden is thoughtfully considered, award-winning garden Read the Rest...

the shropshire star feature imogen’s fundraising adventure

Senior Reporter for the Shropshire Star, Deborah Hardiman, recently visited Head Gardener, Imogen Jackson, in Horatio’s Garden Oswestry to find out more about her adventure walking John Muir Way. Over 10 days, Imogen, husband Allan, friend Andrew and dog Toby walked the 134-mile coast-to-coast route in order to raise money for the charity. The group camped along the way, which Read the Rest...

our first podcast with this is spinal crap!

We were absolutely thrilled to feature on the most recent episode of This Is Spinal Crap, the podcast all about living well with a spinal cord injury. To listen to the podcast, please click here. The episode, aptly titled ‘Create and Grow’ was hosted by two members of the Spinal Crap team, Ruth and Grace. They were joined by our Read the Rest...

waitrose continue supporting horatio’s garden

Another two wonderful Waitrose stores have been supporting Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville over the past month, raising almost £600 for the garden between them. Shoppers in Waitrose Windsor and Waitrose High Wycombe have been generously voting for the charity with their green tokens over recent weeks, helping to raise vital funds for the charity. Now that the month has drawn Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in wilsons magazine

Salisbury and London based solicitors, Wilsons, have featured a recent interview with Founder and Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, in the Spring/Summer issue of The Wilsons Magazine. The edition features a great mixture of legal and lifestyle articles, of which the interview is a part. It tells the story of the charity so far, whilst also giving readers an Read the Rest...

spring supper at pythouse

We recently hosted a spring supper at the idyllic Pythouse Kitchen Garden which was attended by many wonderful friends and supporters of Horatio’s Garden. The cosy evening was organised by volunteer Elaine Vaughan, who thought it would be a lovely way to share with over 60 guests how far the charity has come in just a few short years. Many Read the Rest...

spinal surgery news feature horatio’s garden london

Spinal Surgery News have featured our fifth project, Horatio’s Garden London, on the homepage of their website! Following last week’s breaking ground ceremony, the publication cover the story and introduce readers to the charity as a national entity too. As this is the leading trade title for surgeons specialising in spinal injury, it’s wonderful to know that the organisation are Read the Rest...

breaking ground in horatio’s garden london!

We have officially begun our fifth project at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore (RNOH) this week, with the help of our wonderful celebrity ambassador Anneka Rice.  To date we have planted hope for patients, their families and friends in Salisbury, Scotland, Stoke Mandeville and Oswestry. Now, having raised an incredible total of £1.2 million, work on Horatio’s Garden London is underway.  Read the Rest...

sarah price in the irish times

The Irish Times have published a thoughtful feature on award-winning garden designer Sarah Price, who is designing the sixth Horatio’s Garden for University Hospital, Llandough in Cardiff. The article describes Sarah’s unique, natural and artistic style, highlighting that everyone can apply and adapt her techniques to make the most of their own gardens. Particularly wonderfully, the article introduces readers to Read the Rest...

thank you all waitrose shoppers!

A selection of Waitrose stores having been supporting Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville this year as part of their Community Matters scheme. Waitrose stores in Thames, Buckingham and Welwyn Garden City have currently presented us with cheques equalling a grand total of £1,138, which has all been raised by the many wonderful shoppers who have voted for us with their green Read the Rest...

the ‘butterfly table’ arrives in horatio’s garden scotland

Artist Miranda Creswell has this week gifted her unique ‘Butterfly Table’ to Horatio’s Garden Scotland, where it was enthusiastically received by patients and their loved ones spending time in the Queen Elizabeth Spinal Injuries Unit.  Miranda has spent the past year creating the table as part of her Looking Out Glasgow project, which began with a group of patients from Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden scotland on beechgrove repotted

We were very excited to see that Horatio’s Garden Scotland featured on yesterday evening’s episode of Beechgrove Repotted! The segment about Horatio’s Garden begins at approximately 8 minutes 30 seconds. CLICK HERE TO CATCH UP The Beechgrove Garden team previously visited our garden at the Queen Elizabeth Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow back in 2017, speaking with Founder & Chair Read the Rest...

hozelock donate to horatio’s garden

We’ve seen some very happy Head Gardeners and volunteers this week thanks to a generous donation from Hozelock. The company have given all our gardens a range of their brilliant and trusted products, from hozes to compost bins. As Hozelock have 60 years of experience in creating the perfect products for gardeners, it’s safe to say that everyone is looking Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden takes part in the big garden birdwatch

The RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch took place this year from 25th – 27th January and Horatio’s Garden certainly enjoyed getting involved.  The Birdwatch is the world’s largest wildlife survey, with over half a million people regularly taking part. It’s been taking place for the past 40 years and enables scientists to monitor trends and helps them to understand how wildlife Read the Rest...

work begins on horatio’s garden london

This week we’ve been welcomed to the site of the fifth Horatio’s Garden at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore! The team from ARJ construction have quickly set to work and we are so excited to see Tom Stuart-Smith’s wonderfully thoughtful designs beginning to be brought to life. The garden will carefully reflect Read the Rest...

lillian’s volunteering story in the glasgow evening times

The Glasgow Times have recently begun a weekly column about volunteering in Glasgow and featured Lillian, a volunteer in our Scotland garden, in their very first edition! Lillian kindly shared her wonderful story, which told the audience all about the charity and why she feels that volunteering in Horatio’s Garden is “worth its weight in gold.” We are so pleased Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in rhs magazine

To read the full article, please CLICK HERE. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) recently published a new article focussing on Horatio’s Garden Salisbury and how the charity has grown since 2012.  The RHS originally featured our Salisbury garden in their member’s magazine The Garden back in 2017, when it was one of only two gardens, the other being Horatio’s Garden Scotland. With gardens now Read the Rest...

katy mcintyre-brown is our new artist in residence in salisbury!

Self-taught, professional artist Katy McIntyre-Brown will soon be joining us in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury.  Katy will be starting her winter residency in the garden on Wednesday 15th January and thereafter will be in the garden every Tuesday from 4th February until then end of March. Patients, families and friends will all have the opportunity to paint alongside Katy, or can Read the Rest...

natural artist zac newham in horatio’s garden salisbury

We’re welcoming natural artist Zac Newham to Horatio’s Garden Salisbury for a fun wooden mosaic workshop on Tuesday 21st January from 1pm – 4pm.  Zac is a Salisbury-based artist who, amongst many other things, creates these wonderful wooden pieces. Now, he is offering patients and families the opportunity to get creative in the garden and learn more about how the natural world is Read the Rest...

festivities in horatio’s garden

There have been a whole host of festivities taking place in each Horatio’s Garden across the UK, bringing a touch of Christmas magic to patients, families, friends, NHS staff and our wonderful supporters.  In Salisbury, an overwhelming number of people came along to the garden’s annual Christmas Fair, with many commenting they’d found more than a few ideal gifts for Read the Rest...

cassandra goad – the perfect christmas gift

Give your loved ones the perfect gift this Christmas by purchasing the bespoke Horatio’s Garden quote pendant and cufflinks created by fine jewellery designer Cassandra Goad.  Cassandra was inspired by the work carried out at Horatio’s Garden and has designed and created both limited-edition silver and gold quote pendants, as well as limited-edition silver and gold cufflinks, in honour of Horatio Chapple. The pendant Read the Rest...

winser london support horatio’s garden stoke mandeville

On Monday 11th November, luxury womenswear label Winser London held an exclusive shopping evening in support of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville. The event was incredibly well-supported, with over 25 happy shoppers joining us in Marlow for the occasion. The evening raised over £700 for the garden, thanks to Winser London generously donating 20% of all sales to Horatio’s Garden. We Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden salisbury in the english garden

Following our win in the Nation’s Favourite Garden competition for the South West region, The English Garden magazine has featured Horatio’s Garden Salisbury in their December issue. The article reveals more about where the charity came from and details some of the uniquely beautiful elements of Cleve West’s award-winning design. These include the low, curving limestone walls that echo the Read the Rest...

barn dancing fun in aid of stoke mandeville

On Saturday 9th November almost 100 people dressed in their country best and joined in with a fabulous Barn Dance in aid of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville. The event was kindly organised by a group of Stoke Mandeville volunteers, who decided to go above and beyond in order to raise money for the garden. Guests were treated to a delicious Read the Rest...

dawn donates £1000 to horatio’s garden scotland

Dawn Harkin previously spent 11 months in the Scottish National Spinal Injuries Unit and during her time in hospital she was a frequent and much-loved visitor to Horatio’s Garden Scotland. Since leaving hospital, she has been busy organising a fabulous raffle which recently raised over £3,000 for a range of hospital charities. Incredibly, she chose to donate £1,000 of her Read the Rest...

pennant magazine features horatio’s garden

Pennant is the magazine of the Forces Pension Society and is published bi-annually containing an entertaining mix about life in the Forces, news, opinions and views, member’s feedback and much more.  In their autumn edition, they chose to feature the story of Horatio’s Garden across a generous double-page spread, which details where the charity came from and where it hopes to Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden salisbury wins the ‘nation’s favourite garden’!

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Horatio’s Garden Salisbury has been voted by members of the British public as the National Garden Scheme’s ‘Nation’s Favourite Garden’ in the competition’s South West category! The award was collected by both Head Gardener Stephen Hackett and Horatio’s Garden founder and Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, who on Monday evening attended the awards ceremony at Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in the cardiff times

This November we will be officially launching the capital appeal for Horatio’s Garden Cardiff, but already the Cardiff Times is busy spreading the word to everyone in the city.  The magazine kindly published an article this weekend that introduced our sixth project to the local community, including details of Sarah Price’s designs and a wonderful quote from Professor Charles Janczewski, interim Read the Rest...

artist miranda creswell and the butterfly table

Back in June, some of you may remember us introducing you all to artist Miranda Creswell and her work on the Butterfly Table for Horatio’s Garden Scotland, which is part of her ‘Looking Out Glasgow’ project.  Miranda spent many months painting numerous butterflies in the Oxford Museum of Natural History, which will feature on the table, and soon we will Read the Rest...

a day of song in oswestry

Patients, staff and volunteers were all taking part in the RSPB’s ‘Birdsong Takeover’ event on Thursday, which was part of their national Let Nature Sing initiative.  The sweet sounds were played all afternoon throughout the garden room and Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries, helping the RSPB to reach its aim of bringing the music to around five million people’s ears. The Read the Rest...

women of the year

In 2019 the Women of the Year Lunch & Awards was held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Monday 14th October. The lunch, which was hosted by Horatio’s Garden London patron Mel Giedroyc, brought together over 400 women who were each handpicked for their achievements and contribution to society.   Founder and Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, was invited to attend this year, alongside Read the Rest...

artist keith jansz paints in horatio’s garden stoke mandeville

Professional artist Keith Jansz, a world-renowned mouth painter, will be painting in Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville on Thursday 10th October from 12pm – 5pm. Keith feels a connection with this particular garden as he previously spent six months in the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville following a car accident in 1995. When Keith returned home after his time Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden tours featured in gmg magazine

The Garden Media Guild (GMG) have very kindly featured an article all about Horatio’s Garden and the exciting opportunity to visit each of our gardens from April to October 2020.  Garden Tour Coordinator, Lucy Shergold, wrote the wonderful piece which introduced readers to the charity and explained why each garden is so important. She touches on how the gardens help patients Read the Rest...

advent of change support horatio’s garden

To pre-order your Children’s Advent Calendar or ‘World Changer Wall Calendar’, please CLICK HERE. From Monday 7th October, both calendars will be available to purchase online via the Advent of Change Website and John Lewis & Partners. They will also be be stocked in John Lewis stores across the country. * Horatio’s Garden are delighted to announce that they are Read the Rest...

beauty & truth: healing green by chaz oldham

London-based professional photographer, Chaz Oldham, has kindly shared his film, Beauty & Truth: Healing Green, with Horatio’s Garden.  Chaz began his journey photographing the healers and the healed of the horticultural world just over a year ago, with no idea of where it would take him. He initially conceived the project as a small celebration of the best the green world had to offer, Read the Rest...

bbc gardeners’ world film in stoke mandeville

If you missed the episode, CLICK HERE to watch it on BBC iPlayer. The piece on Horatio’s Garden begins at 24 minutes 50 seconds. We hope you enjoyed watching BBC Gardeners’ World on Friday 27th September 2019! We were delighted to welcome Joe Swift back to Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville, along with the rest of the team from the beloved Read the Rest...

women of achievement lunch

Founder and Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, recently attended the Women of Achievement lunch in Scotland, which was held in order to raise funds for Horatio’s Garden.  The event was held at the iconic Archers’ Hall in Edinburgh, where women from across the country gathered to discuss and celebrate their experiences. All those who attended were enormously generous in their support Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden oswestry in the telegraph

In an incredible double-page spead, Bunny Guinness introduced Horatio’s Garden Oswestry to readers of The Telegraph in style last weekend!  Bunny wrote a wonderful piece that not only describes the thought and time that went into designing the garden, but also how lovely it is to now see the garden being treasured by so many.  She recalls having ‘no doubts’ when Founder and Chair of Read the Rest...

congratulations to our swim serpentine team!

Five fabulous competitors made up #teamhoratiosgarden and took part in the Swim Serpentine fundraising event on Saturday 21st September to raise money for Horatio’s Garden. Swim Serpentine is a hugely popular, open water swimming event that is staged in the stunning setting of the iconic Serpentine in Hyde Park. It was previously the venue of the open water swimming competition Read the Rest...

gold for stoke mandeville in aylesbury in bloom 2019

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the team at Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville have been awarded GOLD in the Aylesbury in Bloom 2019 Communal Gardens category! The award was presented to Head Gardener Jacqui Martin-Lof by the Mayor of Aylesbury, Councillor Mike Smith, at a presentation held in the beautiful gardens of the Lindengate Mental Health Charity in Wendover. Read the Rest...

charity christmas card 2019

The Horatios Garden 2019 Christmas card has arrived!  This year our unique card has been designed exclusively by Salisbury-based artist, Nell Nicholas. Back in the summer, Nell spent a week in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury as one of our artists in residence, creating both her own work and offering gentle encouragement to patients who were inspired to capture the garden in Read the Rest...

a busy week in horatio’s garden oswestry

Aside from BBC Shropshire’s special live broadcast in the garden on Sunday 8th September (which you can read more about by clicking HERE) a lot has been happening in the short time since our garden opened to patients, volunteers and NHS staff. Head Gardener Imogen, with support from staff from the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH), has Read the Rest...

george plumptre mentions horatio’s garden in the telegraph

George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, recently featured Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville in The Telegraph as one of his choice gardens to visit last weekend. His short article featured three very different gardens with one thing in common; they each make the absolute most of their space. As George describes, Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville offers a ‘masterclass’ Read the Rest...

wiltshire life magazine features horatio’s garden

Horatio’s Garden Salisbury volunteers have been featured in the October edition of Wiltshire Life following their achievement of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.  As many of you will know, the award is the highest honour given to UK volunteer groups and is equivalent to receiving a group MBE. It was announced in June that the group had won the award and a special Read the Rest...

he went bump in the night – tell hicks’ story

Meet ‘Tell’. Fifty years ago Terrence ‘Tell’ Hicks was hitchhiking around the world – living on a dollar a day – following his passion for herpetology. He was finding reptiles and the like, catching them, sketching them and then returning them to wild. His quest took him to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Thailand, Bali, Indonesia and Australia. It was in Australia Read the Rest...

patricia samanta is our new salisbury artist in residence

Volunteer and fine artist, Patricia Samanta, is returning to Horatio’s Garden Salisbury as our new artist in residence.  Patricia will be in the garden every Tuesday afternoon between 12-3pm from Tuesday 10th September until the end of October. She will be creating her own artwork inspired by the garden and will also be on-hand to offer gentle encouragement to patients pursuing Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden oswestry in the oswestry & border counties advertizer

Ahead of the official opening of Horatio’s Garden Oswestry on Sunday 22nd September, mother and daughter team, Bunny and Unity Guinness, recently spent time speaking with Rebecca Lennard of the Oswestry & Border Counties Advertizer in the garden.  To read the full article, please click HERE.  Both Bunny and Unity have been involved in the project since the very beginning, holding a design consultation day many months Read the Rest...

the shropshire star feature horatio’s garden oswestry opening

The Shropshire Star have kindly featured Horatio’s Garden Oswestry once again, celebrating the garden’s opening to patients and their loved ones earlier this month.  The newspaper details various elements of the design, giving readers an insight into just how thoughtful designer Bunny Guinness was when she first imagined the garden back in 2018. It also mentions the wildlife that is already in abundance in Read the Rest...

the sunday post: ‘doctor horticulture will see you now’

The Sunday Post, a newspaper founded in 1914 and widely circulated in Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of Northern England, recently mentioned Horatio’s Garden in an article delineating the benefits of gardens and gardening to health.  The article focusses on numerous projects and charities throughout Scotland who are increasingly recommending gardening to a huge variety of people, from teenagers with autism to Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden oswestry is open!

Horatio’s Garden Oswestry opened for the very first time this week, with patients, volunteers and NHS staff all making their way to the garden for a celebratory cup of tea and slice of homemade cake.  The afternoon was an immensely happy, emotional occasion which saw everyone chatting and getting to know both each other and the beautiful space Bunny Guinness initially Read the Rest...

latest news from oswestry

Much has been happening up in Oswestry throughout the past few weeks!  The top priority has been watering this vast space, as those based in the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt National Orthopaedic Hospital have been enjoying the warm weather currently sweeping the UK just as much as the rest of us. Head Gardener Imogen, Assistant Brian, and a handful of Read the Rest...

national garden scheme open days

This September we’ll be opening each Horatio’s Garden in Salisbury, Scotland and Stoke Mandeville in support of the National Garden Scheme.  This is your opportunity to explore these unique, thriving spaces and learn more about how Horatio’s Garden supports people’s physical and mental rehabilitation as they learn to live with life-changing injuries. Both Horatio’s Garden and the National Garden Scheme Read the Rest...

sue’s volunteering story

This week we’ve heard from Sue, a volunteer in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury, who has been lending the charity her time for many years now. To find out more about why Sue got involved, have a read of her story below. * “After my retirement I wanted to give something back and find something enjoyable to do.  Having worked in an Read the Rest...

pipers corner school support horatio’s garden

Pipers Corner School, which is based near High Wycombe, have been enormously supportive of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville throughout the past academic year. From hosting a Fabulous Summer Tea Party to performing for patients in the garden, students across all years have been enormously enthusiastic as they embarked on their charitable endeavours.  In the past two weeks alone the pupils have supported the Read the Rest...

welcoming isaac hadfield, our new research intern, to horatio’s garden

We would like to warmly welcome Isaac Hadfield to the Horatio’s Garden team, who will be spending the summer with as one of our new Research Interns. Isaac wrote the short piece below by way to introduce himself and to share his reasons for wanting to work with the charity. * Hi, I’m Isaac, and I’m joining Ruxi as a Read the Rest...

read the latest from dr olivia chapple in gardeners’ world magazine

As some of you may know, this year Dr Olivia Chapple was invited to be part of a panel contributing to Gardeners’ World Magazine’s ‘Grow Yourself Healthy’ campaign.  Olivia has now contributed to two issues alongside Margaret Kievel and Victoria Theakston, who have both spent time in the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury.  In the magazine’s May Read the Rest...

the simple things magazine features dr olivia chapple

This month The Simple Things magazine have chosen to feature Dr Olivia Chapple in their monthly ‘Excellent Women’ feature.  The article tells the story of charity. It focusses particularly on the wonderful idea Horatio had to create a garden for patients in Salisbury, and how Olivia has nurtured his legacy to establish the stunning sanctuaries that are treasured by so many today.  Read the Rest...

head gardener stephen hackett’s full article for salisbury life magazine

Our Salisbury Head Gardener, Stephen Hackett, recently wrote a brilliant article for Salisbury Life Magazine which has been featured in their July issue.  The piece, entitled ‘Let It Grow’, features a variety of Salisbury gardeners who all make it their mission to contribute to the local community by creating and nurturing beautiful spaces. Each is also committed to offering a Read the Rest...

salisbury life magazine features horatio’s garden

Salisbury Life Magazine have featured Horatio’s Garden throughout their July issue, illustrating the huge variety of opportunities and experiences that come with being involved with the charity.  Our first mention is to celebrate our Salisbury volunteers receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which informs the local community about this enormous honour. It’s been lovely to see so many Salisbury-based Read the Rest...

caroline may will be our new artist in residence at stoke mandeville

We are delighted to welcome Caroline May back to Horatio’s Garden, who will this summer be our new Artist in Residence at Stoke Mandeville.  Last year Caroline was our Artist in Residence in Scotland, encouraging patients and visitors to be creative, whilst also creating numerous beautiful works herself. She recently exhibited a collection of her final pieces in Spring 2019, Read the Rest...

introducing our new research intern, ruxandra vasile

We are delighted to introduce Ruxandra Vasile, who has joined the Horatio’s Garden team for the Summer as our new Research Intern. Below is a short piece she has written explaining a little more about herself and why she was interested in working with us. * Hello, I’m Ruxandra, one of the interns for Summer 2019! A couple of weeks ago Read the Rest...

volunteers featured in the salisbury journal

The achievements of the Horatio’s Garden Salisbury volunteer team have been featured this June in the Salisbury Journal.  Following the incredible news that the group had been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the Journal decided to spread the word of their recognition throughout the local community. Many people in Salisbury have supported Horatio’s Garden since the beginning, and Read the Rest...

the tea partying continues!

More photos of all your Fabulous Summer Tea Parties have continued flooding in and we’ve loved hearing all about them.  The Richards Castle Women’s Institute held their tea party in a member’s garden, hanging out their beautiful bunting with pride as they enjoyed a delightful afternoon tea outside amongst the flora and fauna.  Everyone was in good spirits, laughing and Read the Rest...

cecil’s volunteering story

Today we’re featuring Cecil, who below tells the story of how he came to volunteer at Horatio’s Garden Salisbury. It’s a short, but immensely uplifting tale which we hope you enjoy reading. * “For many years I have been a patient of Mr Chapple’s at Salisbury District. Over the years I have had many spinal surgeries under different consultants. In 2012 I Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden awarded funding for an exciting new garden venture

This year The Rank Foundation have launched their brilliant enterprise programme ‘Profit for Good’ which is aimed at helping charities to improve their commercial opportunities and we’re thrilled to announce that our brand new project, Horatio’s Garden Tours, has been awarded a place on the scheme. The programme also includes a fully-funded place on both an enterprise-themed Action Learning Set, Read the Rest...

head gardener imogen jackson welcomed by the shropshire star

Recently appointed Head Gardener for Horatio’s Garden Oswestry, Imogen Jackson, has been warmly welcomed to her new home in Shropshire by the team at the Shropshire Star! The newspaper published an article all about Imogen today, introducing both her and the charity to the local community. The article tells the story of Horatio’s Garden, as well as detailing Imogen’s background Read the Rest...

the latest fabulous summer tea parties

Wednesday and Thursday were busy days for many people up and down the country as more Fabulous Summer Tea Party hosts welcomed their guests for a spot of afternoon tea.  We heard from five of our fantastic hosts, who all had a brilliant time fundraising with family and friends whilst munching away on many scrumptious sweet treats!  Jan Williamson held Read the Rest...

lillian’s volunteering story

As part of our continued celebration of Volunteers’ Week we would love to share Lillian’s volunteering story with you.   She currently supports our Scotland Garden, and as you will see below, her experiences in Horatio’s Garden have been both humbling and incredibly rewarding.  *  I have only been at Horatio’s Garden for a matter of a few months in Read the Rest...

introducing imogen jackson, our new head gardener

We would like to warmly welcome our brand new Oswestry Head Gardener, Imogen Jackson, to Horatio’s Garden!  Imogen will be responsible for nurturing our fourth garden at the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries with the help of a brilliant group of local volunteers. As Imogen is a trained Horticultural Therapist she will also run the charity’s gentle garden therapy sessions, which offer weekly physical Read the Rest...

volunteers receive the queen’s award for voluntary service

Volunteers at Horatio’s Garden Salisbury, based in the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre of Salisbury District Hospital, were honoured on 2nd June 2019 with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is equivalent to a group MBE and is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups.  As our Salisbury garden was the first to be opened back in 2012 many Read the Rest...

may progress at oswestry

The May weather has largely been kind to us in Oswestry, meaning the on-site team have been able to continue doing brilliant work in order to have the garden ready for patients and their families later this summer. Since April even more trees have been planted and the garden is now beginning to look lusher than ever thanks to a Read the Rest...

the duke of buccleuch visits horatio’s garden scotland

On Monday 20th May we were delighted to welcome The Lord High Commissioner, His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch to Horatio’s Garden Scotland. Head Gardener Sallie, Volunteer Co-ordinator Yvonne, and a host of patients and volunteers were making the most of the sunshine in the garden, offering the Duke an authentic Horatio’s Garden experience. The whole team worked incredibly hard Read the Rest...

rhs chelsea flower show 2019

Horatio’s Garden have found their way into a few pieces of RHS Chelsea Flower Show press this year! Whilst we have yet to welcome any BBC filmmakers to the stand, our fabulous Scotland garden designer and committed supporter James Alexander-Sinclair did manage to subtly represent the charity in the channel’s primetime coverage on Tuesday evening. Having visited our Horatio’s Garden Read the Rest...

summer newsletter 2019

To celebrate the beginning of our week at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show we are today releasing our brand new Summer 2019 Newsletter! Click the PDF button on this page to read all about the first half of our year at Horatio’s Garden.

celebrating the national garden scheme ‘a path to health’ campaign

The National Garden Scheme’s Gardens and Health week is an annual event aiming to raise awareness of the physical and mental health benefits of gardens and gardening throughout the year.  Speaking on behalf of the charity, CEO George Plumptre said “Championing the health benefits of gardens has been at the heart of our ethos since 1927”, which is also something Horatio’s Read the Rest...

we’re looking for a regional fundraiser in stoke mandeville

Horatio’s Garden is a national charity that aims to improve the lives of everyone affected by spinal injury through creating and nurturing beautiful gardens. We grow thriving communities to support patients, their families and friends facing long stays in NHS hospitals. Horatio’s Garden: Regional Fundraiser Based: Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury The charity is looking to appoint an experienced fundraiser to generate the Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden receives royal patronage

Horatio’s Garden is delighted to announce the news that Princess Eugenie has become the charity’s Royal Patron. Her Royal Highness will be supporting the charity’s vision of bringing thriving gardens to all the UK’s regional spinal injuries centres. Having undergone surgery for scoliosis in 2002 at the age of 12, Princess Eugenie has had a small glimpse of how it Read the Rest...

fundraising dinner at newbury racecourse

Thank you so much to Charlotte Crawley for organising an evening of wonderful floral fun for over 350 guests at Newbury Racecourse on Friday 26th April.  The idea to host an event in support of Horatio’s Garden came to Charlotte following her spinal operations in the summer of 2017. With the support of her mother, Minty Crawley, and a brilliant committee, Read the Rest...

gaze burvill rhs chelsea flower show preview event

Gaze Burvill recently held their annual Chelsea Flower Show Preview Event on Saturday 27th April, helping to raise funds for Horatio’s Garden. The company have supported the charity since the very beginning and now their exceptional outdoor furniture and outstanding craftsmanship can be seen in each of our gardens throughout the UK.  Guests had the opportunity to enjoy some light refreshments, whilst all Read the Rest...

melanie reid features horatio’s garden in the times

Horatio’s Garden we’re delighted to hear the news that award-winning journalist and charity ambassador Melanie Reid very kindly featured the charity in her most recent article, which was published on Monday 15th April.  After attending our Glasgow Drinks Party at Edrington last week, an event celebrating our loyal supporters, Melanie shared the charity’s vision and mission with her Times readers and offered her Read the Rest...

david chapple interview for spinal surgery news

Consultant Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgeon David Chapple has featured in the Spring 2019 edition of Spinal Surgery News discussing his role as co-founder of Horatio’s Garden.   His thoughtful interview offers the spinal surgical community an unparalleled insight into the profoundly positive effect each of our gardens has for patients and their families, as well as sharing a little more about the origins Read the Rest...

garden therapy in stoke mandeville

Some wonderful stories have been shared with us recently from our Stoke Mandeville garden and art therapy groups, and we thought it would be lovely to offer everyone an insight into the wonderful difference Horatio’s Garden makes to patients on a daily basis.  Four patients, Ted, Emerson, Alfie and Pauline have all been keen gardeners since discovering the space, and with the help Read the Rest...

henlle park golf club donation

We would like to express our immense gratitude to Henlle Park Golf Club, near Oswestry, for supporting Horatio’s Garden as their charity of the year.  Men’s Captain Rob Smith and Women’s Captain Sue Sims recently presented Dr Olivia Chapple with a cheque at our Oswestry site having raised an incredible £7,060 for the charity.  Rob also helped to support the club’s fundraising efforts by doing Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden glasgow on bbc radio scotland

Sallie Sillars, Head Gardener for Horatio’s Garden Glasgow, recently welcomed BBC Radio Scotland reporter John Beattie to the garden to find out more about the charity and the support it offers to patients and their loved ones.  John cycled to the garden to chat with two patients currently staying in the Scottish National Spinal Injuries Unit, as well as Head Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden salisbury on bbc radio wiltshire

It was a privilege to welcome Karen Gardner from BBC Radio Wiltshire to Horatio’s Garden Salisbury bright and early on Tuesday 2nd April.  Following the National Garden Scheme’s incredible donation of £75,000 to Horatio’s Garden London and the announcement that the organisation have committed to supporting our projects for the next ten years, Karen spoke to co-founder and head of trustees Dr Olivia Chapple to Read the Rest...

toasting an incredible night of fundraising at the wild by tart dinner

Horatio’s Garden is thrilled to announce that the Wild by Tart fundraising dinner, held in London on Wednesday the 27th of March, raised a phenomenal £296,000 for the London Garden capital appeal. The event was attended by 200 of the charity’s supporters and their guests, including Anneka Rice, Tom Stuart-Smith, Joe Swift and Frank Gardner.  Dinner guests enjoyed the most sublime Read the Rest...

OSWESTRY GARDEN UPDATE FROM THE SHROPSHIRE STAR

Sue Austin from the Shropshire Star takes a look at the latest developments at the Horatio’s Garden Oswestry site and puts a call out for people who are interested in signing up as volunteers to get in touch. Take a look at the piece on the Shropshire Star website here.

national garden scheme donation announcement

On March 27th the National Garden Scheme excitingly announced at London’s Royal Festival Hall that they are donating £75,000 to Horatio’s Garden London and announced a ten-year commitment to the charity and its projects.  Co-founder and Head of Trustees Dr Olivia Chapple and long-time trustee Victoria Holton were present, along with celebrated garden designer Joe Swift who created the beautiful Horatio’s Garden at Stoke Mandeville.   Read the Rest...

BBC World Service interview with Dr Olivia Chapple

Listen again to the insightful and moving interview with Dr Olivia Chapple, broadcast this week on the BBC World Service, about Horatio Chapple and the extraordinary legacy he left behind in Horatio’s Garden. Click the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07430py

head gardener for Horatio’s garden scotland receives certificate from the earl of wessex

Our very own Sallie Sillars, Head Gardener for Horatio’s Garden Scotland, was present at the High School of Glasgow earlier this month when Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex made a special visit to meet pupils and staff involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards Scheme. High School of Glasgow pupils have been volunteering at Horatio’s Garden Scotland as part Read the Rest...

listen to glasgow head gardener sallie sillars on gardeners’ question time

Head Gardener for Horatio’s Garden Scotland Sallie Sillars appeared on the much-loved Radio 4 programme Gardeners’ Question Time on Friday the 1st of March (repeated on Sunday the 3rd of March). Sallie showed Gardeners’ Question Time panellist Christine Walkden around the garden, and introduced her to patients who shared the incredible benefits of having beautiful outdoor spaces at spinal injury Read the Rest...

CALLING ALL ARTISTS! SUBMIT YOUR WORK FOR THE HORATIO’S GARDEN SECRET ART SALE

We are delighted to announce that we are once again looking forward to holding the Horatio’s Garden Secret Art Sale at our annual Chelsea Drinks Party, after the great success of the inaugural event last year – and we’re on the hunt for artists to help us! The Chelsea Drinks Party will take place at the National Army Museum from Read the Rest...

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

We are very excited to see that Spring is now well and truly on the way, with new shoots popping up in all our gardens. However, for those of you who love wintry weather, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some snowy highlights! January certainly became that little bit more exciting when flurries of snowflakes began Read the Rest...

catch up on the building work at horatio’s garden oswestry

We’re delighted to share the news that the building work at Horatio’s Garden Oswestry is well under way, with the steel frame of the garden room and the outline of planting beds and pathways starting to take shape. The recent wintery weather has proven to be no problem for the dedicated workers on site who have carried on turning the Read the Rest...

cheque presentation in oswestry from the shropshire freemasons

Horatio’s Garden Oswestry was a hive of activity recently when Dr Olivia Chapple and celebrated garden designer Bunny Guinness visited the site to receive a cheque from local representatives from the Shropshire Freemasons. The money was raised by the Shropshire Freemasons through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales. Read the Rest...

david c. h. austin snr obe vmh, founder of david austin roses ltd, has died peacefully at home

It is with great sadness that the Austin family announces the passing of David C. H. Austin Snr OBE VMH, rosarian and founder of David Austin Roses Ltd. David Snr died peacefully at his home in Shropshire on Tuesday 18th December 2018, surrounded by his family. He was 92.  

horatio’s garden 2018

Click to watch the Horatio’s Garden 2018 video.  Thank you for all your support and help throughout 2018. Watch the video HERE    

horatio’s garden runner up at social change awards

On the 11th December 2018, Horatio’s Garden was so grateful to receive the runner up award for The Everyday Impact – Long Term Enterprises at a wonderful event, hosted by the Directory for Social Change Social Change Awards and held at the House of Lords, presented by The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC. Thank you to everyone who voted and Read the Rest...

salisbury christmas tree

Thank you to Cranborne Garden Centre for suppling Horatio’s Garden Salisbury with this gorgeous Christmas Tree. Decorated by volunteers it stands in the garden and can be seen from the Garden Room as well as those outside enjoying the garden.     

stoke mandeville christmas tree

Thank you to Tom from Forest and Fir for donating the most beautiful Christmas Tree to Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville.  It has been fabulously decorated by our volunteers and takes pride of place in the Garden Room. 

amazon smile

Support Horatio’s Garden by starting your shopping at Amazon Smile.  Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service but it donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the charitable organisation of your choice. Simply change the link in your browser and choose Horatio’s Garden to start supporting! Find out more HERE Read the Rest...

nsic christmas fair

Thank you to the team from Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville for running the stall at the NSIC Christmas Fair.  Thank you to everyone who came and supported us. You can still purchase gifts and stocking filler for Christmas online via our shop HERE. 

read jacksons fencing’s blog about horatio’s garden stoke mandeville

Joe Swift chose the Venetian Hit & Miss fence panels to complement the design of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville.  You can read their blog HERE . 

kathy hinde art installation coming to horatio’s garden salisbury

Kathy Hinde will be showing her work in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury. Kathy’s work grows from a partnership between nature and technology expressed through audio-visual installations and performances that combine sound, sculpture, image and light. She has shown work extensively across Europe, China, Pakistan, USA, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and New Zealand. The work will be exhibited in the apple archway in Horatio’s Garden. It’s called Read the Rest...

garden tool donation

Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville has very generously received a donation of some Kent & Stowe tools from Crest Garden Limited.  Thank you very much for your fabulous donation, they’ll be a valuable asset to have!   

read the horatio’s garden oswestry press release

meet catherine, one of our trustees

Horatio’s Garden is run by a board of trustees who give their time voluntarily. Their varying talents and experience help us to meet our charitable goals and objectives, whilst keeping the costs of running the charity to a minimum.  Meet Catherine Burns. Catherine’s involvement with Horatio’s Garden stemmed from visiting a friend who was a patient in the Spinal Unit Read the Rest...

meet bianca, one of our trustees

Horatio’s Garden is run by a board of trustees who give their time voluntarily. Their varying talents and experience help us to meet our charitable goals and objectives, whilst keeping the costs of running the charity to a minimum.  Meet Bianca Roden. Bianca trained as a speech and language therapist and worked in various hospitals and schools with both adults and Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden on bbc radio 4

On 9th November Dr Olivia Chapple was interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Watch the short film HERE  Find out more about each garden on our website 

meet the designer

Designer of our hugely popular and fast selling 2018 Christmas cards is Martha Solloway.  Get to know Martha and her inspiration for her art below. “I am an artist and illustrator from Dorset and have studied art at both Kingston and Brighton Universities. I work from a wide range of subjects, which tend to revolve around my interest in people Read the Rest...

waitrose aylesbury are supporting horatio’s garden

We need you!  Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville has been chosen as one of the nominees for Waitrose in Aylesbury’s Community Matters Scheme.  Simply visit the branch, at the checkout receive your token and choose your cause. The more tokens we get, the bigger the donation we receive. Thank you in advance. Read more HERE. 

salisbury volunteer visit to stoke mandeville

On the 18th October the volunteers from Horatio’s Garden Salisbury went to visit the newest Horatio’s Garden in Stoke Mandeville. 

2 king’s bench walk events

2KBW’s band, The Bar Mess, will be playing two ‘battle of the bands’ events for charity in November. The first event is at 7:15pm sharp on 7/11/18 at the 100 Club on Oxford Street (tickets £30). The band will be playing classic rock covers. Money raised will go to diverse charities such as Down’s Syndrome Association and Great Ormond Street Read the Rest...

edinburgh drinks event

Thank you to everyone who attended the Edinburgh evening drinks event in support of Horatio’s Garden Scotland.  It was a wonderful evening with special thanks to James Alexander-Sinclair for his speech. 

listen to coverage from the opening of horatio’s garden stoke mandeville

https://soundcloud.com/smhr1575/mary-berry-interview  

horatio’s garden stoke mandeville is open!

On the 9th September 2018, the third Horatio’s Garden was officially opened by guest of honour Mary Berry. “Of course, a garden is never truly finished; it is an ever evolving story which will develop over the years with patients and our volunteers” – Garden designer Joe Swift. Going forward, Head Gardener Jacqui and her team of amazing volunteers will Read the Rest...

itv meridian’s coverage of the stoke mandeville opening

If you missed the coverage of the opening of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville on the night it aired, you can watch it here!  

cornerstone volunteers at horatio’s garden scotland

Many thanks to the Cornerstone volunteers for coming and lending a helping hand in Horatio’s Garden Scotland on 17th August.    

cathcart castle ladies golfers visit horatio’s garden scotland

Head Gardener at Horatio’s Garden Scotland, Sallie Sillars had a great morning showing Cathcart Castle Ladies Golfers around the garden this morning. We are also their charity of the year and they enjoyed seeing for themselves the garden and charities work that they are supporting.  The ladies also all made a posy each from flowers in the garden to take Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville is near completion

The garden in Stoke Mandeville is nearing completion. The third Horatio’s Garden, this space will serve patients at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire. 

Artist Sarah Hough is returning to Horatio’s Garden

Sarah Hough is returning once again to Horatio’s Garden Salisbury as our Artist in Residence.  An active member of the School of Landscape Painting and living and working in Devon she draws, paints and often ‘collects’ sound, while doing so she seeks to create work that evokes a feeling of being small in order to express the power and elemental forces Read the Rest...

Sweet peas in Scotland

Sweet peas are in full bloom at Horatio’s Garden Scotland. Gorgeous scents are filtering through the air in the garden activity area and everything has taken on a beautiful freshness that only gardens can give. A real sensory for delight for all visitors and regular users of the garden.   

The Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville stone carving is in place

Latest progress from Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville – the stunning 10-metre long bench has been installed with the beautiful teardrop-shaped stone carving at the end. The magnificent garden room has emerged from the scaffolding, ready for the next phase in its creation.

Cleve West visits Salisbury

Cleve West came for a visit around the garden in Salisbury this morning, to enjoy a walk around the planting and a catch up with Head Gardener Stephen Hackett. 

Designers on site

As we are approaching the end of our final stages of the build at Stoke Mandeville, both designers came to see how progress was going. Joe Swift and Andrew Wells from 3W Architecture were on site all day to keep an eye on the planting and the building works going on.  The greenhouse and garden room and taking shape nicely Read the Rest...

A perfect activity for the longest day of the year

Patients were strawberry picking yesterday at Horatio’s Garden Scotland, making for a rewarding therapy session. Grown in the garden itself, the strawberries were washed and enjoyed by everyone!  For more information on patient activities in Scotland please see Activities for Patients on the Scotland Garden section of the website or ask Head Gardener Sallie how she can help.     

A busy day for Horatio’s Garden Scotland

Yesterday Dr Olivia Chapple and the Communications team visited Horatio’s Garden Scotland along with James Alexander-Sinclair and Catherine Burns. Head Gardener Sallie Sillars and the volunteers had the garden looking spectacular despite the storm the week before in time for the film crew to spend a day shooting a follow up film which will be released soon.  The team from Read the Rest...

Joe Swift’s designs are coming to life

This week at Stoke Mandeville a lot of progress has been made. Joe Swift’s designs are leaping ahead, with the garden now looking more like a useable, tranquil space for the patients.  Head gardener Jacqui, who has been overseeing the build has describes this weeks progress as “a butterfly unfolding”. 

The Co-op and Co-op members are supporting Horatio’s Garden

Since November Co-op Members have kindly chosen to support Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville, using their 1% from the Co-op Local Community Fund. Just by shopping in your local Co-op you could be helping local causes You can help us raise more money by joining the Co-op if you’re not already a member. Find out about Co-op membership in-store or online Read the Rest...

National Garden Scheme Gardens and Health week

It is well documented just how much of a positive impact gardens can have on a persons health. The National Garden Scheme launched their first Garden and Health week in August 2017, promoting the positive impact gardens have on heath and wellbeing. This year Gardens and Health week is taking place on the 18th-24th August and all the gardens that Read the Rest...

Earthworm arrival at Stoke Mandeville

New residents moved in this weekend at Stoke Mandeville Horatio’s Garden! 4,500 earthworms have been introduced to their new home in the garden, they have been distributed around to keep the soil and plants nice and healthy!

Horatio’s Garden features in The BMJ Medical Journal

18/12/2017 Horatio’s Garden has featured on  The British Medical Journal website in an article called ‘Hospital gardens are making a comeback’. The article focuses on the importance of gardens in hospital spaces, the evidence behind it and how hard it is to find funding to create these spaces. To read the article in full click here  

Four stars for Horatio’s Garden!

Next Horatio’s Garden is thrilled to have been awarded four stars by the Royal Horticultural Society judges for its stand at the Chelsea Flower Show. The charity has a presence at Chelsea thanks to hugely generous sponsorship from Nelsons. In addition, Horatio’s Garden would like to thank everyone else who has helped including James Alexander-Sinclair, Hortus Loci and Spire Removals. Read the Rest...

Glorious gardens open for NGS Festival Weekend

18/05/2018 The National Garden Scheme’s Festival Weekend 2018 will see gardens open for charity in all counties across England and Wales on 2nd and 3rd June – giving everyone access to private gardens in their area during one of the most beautiful months of the gardening year. Held annually and now in its sixth year, Festival Weekend celebrates glorious gardens Read the Rest...

This week’s progress at Stoke Mandeville

18/05/2018 The Garden Room is progressing and the plants are settling in, bringing beautiful colour and scent. The coping stones are in place and the uplights on the trees are in. The bird bath is ready for our feathered friends and the painting of the red steel walkway has begun!

Spire Removals Support

09/05/2018 Spire Removals are generously supporting Horatio’s Garden by providing the transport to the Chelsea Flower Show and back. We are hugely grateful for their generosity and kindness in giving their time and expertise.  

Volunteer Recipe – Vegan Brownies

08/05/2018 For Cleve West’s visit to Horatio’s Garden Salisbury, a member of the brilliant volunteer team very kindly made vegan chocolate brownies and agreed to let us have the recipe! This month we have Katrina’s delicious vegan brownies. These are so easy to make and were a popular hit with Cleve himself as well as the volunteers. Happy baking!

Gardeners’ World filming at Stoke Mandeville

30/04/2018 Last week a team from Horatio’s Garden Salisbury went to the newest Horatio’s Garden, currently being built at Stoke Mandeville. Gardeners’ World were filming with Joe Swift and new Head Gardener, Jacqui Martin-Lof, who made her television debut! The majority of plants and trees are in place, and the foundations for the Garden Room and Greenhouse are laid, all Read the Rest...

Cleve West visits Salisbury

25/04/2018 Cleve West visited Horatio’s Garden Salisbury today to catch up with Head Gardener, Stephen Hackett, Dr Olivia Chapple and the volunteers. He was treated to some lovely homemade chocolate brownies! Cleve visits the garden each season to review and update the planting.

Inter Spinal Unit Games

20/04/2018 Huge congratulations to all 105 participants who competed in the Inter Spinal Unit Games this week at Stoke Mandeville! A special mention to the team from Salisbury who finished the week victorious! To see some of the images from the week’s sporting action, please click here

Chalke Valley Cycle Ride

19/04/2018 Starting with a warm welcome at Horatio’s Garden, the Chalke Valley cycle ride goes through an area of outstanding natural beauty with options of a 25, 50 or 75 mile route. All abilities welcome, if you don’t want to cycle we need lots of volunteers too! Come and join us for a fun filled day, followed by a BBQ Read the Rest...

Inter Spinal Unit Games

16/04/2018 This week teams from all 14 Spinal Units across the UK will be taking part in the Inter Spinal Unit Games at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. The Games are held annually and 100 patients with 60 support staff will experience first-hand what can be achieved following a spinal injury. Good luck to everyone taking part! Find out more about the Games Read the Rest...

Chelsea Drinks Party and Secret Art Sale

13/04/2018 Please join us for the Chelsea Drinks Party on Thursday 24th May from 7pm to 9pm at the National Army Museum. Throughout the evening we will be serving delicious wines and canapés, thanks to our generous sponsors: The Chambers of William Mousley QC, 2 King’s Bench Walk. This year we have a very exciting addition to the event – Read the Rest...

BritSpine 2018

19/03/2018 Horatio’s Garden is delighted to have been the charity beneficiary of the BritSpine Conference in Leeds last week. This year’s biennial conference and exhibition took place at the University of Leeds. Horatio’s Garden had a stand at the BritSpine Exhibition and Dr. Olivia Chapple gave a presentation at the conference dinner where there were table top collections and a Read the Rest...

National Garden Scheme

17/03/2018 We are delighted that the National Garden Scheme (NGS) has generously chosen to support Horatio’s Garden Oswestry with a donation of £50,000 to the capital appeal. George Plumptre, CEO of National Garden Scheme, said about funds raised in 2017: “It’s been another record breaking year for the National Garden Scheme and we are extremely pleased to be able to Read the Rest...

New for 2018 – Volunteer recipes

13/03/2018 The Volunteer Recipe of the Month is a new feature. Each month one of our lovely volunteers will kindly share a favourite recipe. This month we have Sheila’s delicious cheesy biscuits. These biscuits are quick and easy to make and are a firm favourite in the Horatio’s Garden office. Happy baking.

Work with Horatio’s Garden: Head Gardener at Stoke Mandeville

Would you like to work with Horatio’s Garden? We are looking to appoint a head gardener for the third Horatio’s Garden at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville is a new, contemporary, high profile garden designed by Joe Swift. The Head Gardener will be responsible for delivering a beautiful space for Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden at the BALI Awards

We are delighted to announce that Endrick Landscapes have won a BALI Special Award for Outstanding Charitable Contribution and an award for Hard Landscaping Construction for 2017 for the work they carried out at Horatio’s Garden in Glasgow.  Receiving a BALI National Landscape Award is one of the landscape industries’ highest accolades and is recognition of a high level of achievement from within the Read the Rest...

Seriously injured rider Laura Scott features in Horse & Hound

Horse and Hound online have featured Laura Scott, pictured at Horatio’s Garden Summer Drinks Party, on her recovery following a spinal injury and on raising £17,000 for her chosen charities, including Horatio’s Garden.  The article described her accident where “she was seriously injured in March when a youngster she was riding in the school bucked, throwing her against a wooden Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden features in the Telegraph

An article in the Telegraph covered how ‘Horatio’s Garden is harnessing plant power with the help of a medical herbalist’.  Catherine Marshall described how her products, made for Horatio’s Garden, were “designed with the idea of a therapeutic, feel-good, healing garden in mind, intended to transport you back to the herb garden.”  The article covers how the surroundings of a garden Read the Rest...

Sir Robert McAlpine support Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville

Sir Robert McAlpine are supporting Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville with the excavation and removal of spoil from the site to make the garden completely accessible and level for patients. The start of excavation was celebrated with a team photo when designer Joe Swift with Appeal Patron and former High Sheriff Milly Soames joined David McAlpine on site to meet the Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden Scotland wins award from BALI

Endrick Landscapes are to receive an award for Horatio’s Garden Scotland, from the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) in the Hard Landscaping Construction sector, at the awards ceremony on 1st December. Receiving a BALI National Landscape Award is one of the landscape industries’ highest accolades, giving recognition of a high level of achievement from within the industry. The garden was judged by a Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden features in Woman’s Weekly Gardening magazine

Horatio’s Garden is featured in the October edition of the Woman’s Weekly Gardening magazine.  The article covers the garden’s conception, progress of the gardens and the recent visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie to Horatio’s Garden Scotland.  If you would like to keep up with all the news and events happening at Horatio’s Garden, sign up to our newsletter  

Emma Bridgewater Collector’s Day Raffle

Horatio’s Garden has been lucky enough to host a stand and give a talk at the coveted collector’s days at Emma Bridgewater’s home.  Whilst at the collectors day, Horatio’s Garden and Emma Bridgewater ran a raffle, giving guests a chance to win a collection of goodies and the raffle raised £850.00! The team at Horatio’s Garden would like to thank everyone Read the Rest...

West Country Exhibition

Thank you to all that came out to Cornwall to see the stunning exhibition of paintings   A special thanks to Camilla and all involved in arranging the event. 

Building begins at Stoke Mandeville today!

Building began at Stoke Mandeville today to create the third Horatio’s Garden. Designer, Joe Swift, dug the first spadeful of earth with Horatio’s brother, Titus Chapple. The building will last six months. Once completed it will feature a garden room, a communal space outside for lunches and live music, a large greenhouse specially equipped for patients and a whole range of perennial and evergreen Read the Rest...

Princess Eugenie visits Horatio’s Garden Scotland

Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie visited Horatio’s Garden Scotland on Monday 24th July and met patients, volunteers and the staff at the Scottish National Spinal Unit, which treats all Scottish-based patients with spinal cord injuries and is based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. This visit highlighted the extraordinary work carried out by the charity in just five Read the Rest...

Newport Dragon’s star makes headlines

Newport Dragon’s player Ed Jackson, who was a patient at the spinal unit in Salisbury, has recently featured on the BBC Sport news page, talking about his spinal injury after diving into a shallow end of a swimming pool.  “After hitting my head on the bottom I realised I couldn’t swim to the surface because I’d lost movement in my legs Read the Rest...

RHS The Garden magazine

Horatio’s Garden Salisbury features in the July 2017 RHS The Garden Magazine. ‘A place to heal – the inspiring story of Horatio’s Garden‘. In a beautiful article written by Lia Leendertz with stunning photography by Clive Nichols the essence and philosophy of the garden is captured.    

Brewin Dolphin sell plants from Chatsworth for Horatio’s Garden

The Brewin Dolphin garden by Jo Thompson at RHS Chatsworth Show has sold off all the plants in support of Horatio’s Garden and raised over £2,000. Jo Thompson’s beautiful FreeForm garden won the “People’s Choice” at the show. Brewin Dolphin have donated plants and sculptures from their 2012 and 2016 Chelsea Flower Show gardens to Horatio’s Garden Salisbury and Scotland.  Jo’s garden Read the Rest...

Sallie Sillars wins Scotland’s Gardener of the Year

This award has been set up to identify and celebrate the gardening talent up and down the country and amidst keen competition Sallie has reached the shortlist.  We are delighted that Sallie’s skills, expertise and hard work as head gardener of Horatio’s Garden Scotland, have been recognised in this way.  Head Gardener and garden therapist Sallie helped with the initial Read the Rest...

Nelsons sponsor Chelsea flower Show

Horatio’s Garden had a very successful Chelsea Flower Show. The stand was visited by many guests including Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Baroness Masham, Joanna Lumley, Anneka Rice and Alan Titchmarsh were all impressed with the beauty of the stand as well as the many supporters who visited during the week. The most popular merchandise item was the new garden Read the Rest...

Horticulture Week Custodian Awards

Horatio’s Garden Scotland has been given a Highly Commended award for ‘Best Community-Health Initiative’ at the Custodian Awards. The Horticulture Week Custodian Awards celebrate the best of parks and gardens management. They give garden and green space managers the chance to showcase their achievements, reward team efforts and highlight to stakeholders the vital role they play. Winners were presented with their awards Read the Rest...

Michael Bowyer Flower Arranging Day

Guests were treated to a wonderful afternoon of flower arranging demonstrated by the very talented Michael Bowyer MBE at the Guildhall in Salisbury. Michael put together over 10 superb designs to a full crowd and each piece was raffled over afternoon teas with all profits generously donated to Horatio’s Garden. The event raised over £2,000! Our thanks go to Michael and Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden Oswestry video now online

The new fundraising video for Horatio’s Garden Oswestry is now live. The video features Bunny Guinness, Olivia Chapple and testimonials from patients at Oswestry and Salisbury. To see the video and find out how to help fundraise click here

Give as you Live

Supporters of Horatio’s Garden can raise free donations simply by shopping online using Give as you Live. Shop at over 4,100 leading online stores including Amazon, eBay, Tesco, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Just Eat and Booking.com, to name but a few! Give as you Live is a shopping and price comparison website that donates funds with every purchase to Horatio’s Garden. You can shop for products Read the Rest...

Cleve West Garden Visit

Check out the gallery above to see images from Cleve West’s visit to Horatio’s Garden Salisbury along with images of new budding flowers taking shape and Cleve meeting with Head Gardener Stephen Hackett. To see more on Cleve’s work with Horatio’s Garden click here

Oswestry Design Consultancy Day

The Horatio’s Garden Team visit the Midland Spinal Centre at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry. Bunny Guinness and Olivia Chapple presented the plans to the Executive team, the Nursing staff and current and former patients of Oswestry. In the consultation both the staff and patients put forward ideas that will be included in the final designs. The promotional Read the Rest...

Beatrice von Tresckow Fashion Show

International Fashion Designer Beatrice von Tresckow will be hosting a fashion show and lunch on Wednesday the 10th of May at the Thornborough Grounds, Buckinghamshire.  Showcasing her new spring/summer 2017 range, Beatrice’s work encompasses rich, colourful, highly textured fabrics and hand finished beading and embroidery.   The event is in aid of the Stoke Mandeville appeal and we hope to see you Read the Rest...

Points of Light Award

Horatio’s Garden has been awarded a Points of Light Award by the Prime Minister.  In a letter to Olivia Chapple Teresa May said “The beautiful gardens you have created are having a positive impact on people being treated for spinal cord injuries and are a wonderful tribute to Horatio’s memory. By making peaceful and serene places for patients and their Read the Rest...

ITV features Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville

ITV has featured the news that the fundraising target for Horatio’s Garden, Stoke Mandeville has been reached. Read the whole story here.

Salisbury International Arts Festival

We are delighted to announce a partnership with the Salisbury International Arts Festival 2017. This partnership helps bring culture and entertainment to patients in hospitals. Horatio’s Garden Salisbury will be hosting a reception for the festival in April and a live performance in the gardens on 4 June. The Salisbury International Arts Festival commences on 26 May until 10 June 2017.

BBC Wiltshire

BBC reporter Karen Gardner interviewed Olivia Chapple on a frosty morning in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury. Listen to the interview here:

Visit from appeal Patron Gregor Fisher

Gregor Fisher, appeal Patron of Horatio’s Garden Scotland, visited the new Horatio’s Garden at the Scottish National Spinal Unit this week. Gregor, currently starring as an ugly sister in Cinderella at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow, met with patients, volunteers and staff and toured the project. Much fun was had by all! STIHL kindly donated a Compact Cordless Blower which Read the Rest...

Stoke Mandeville fundraising event at Windmill Hill

In October we held a wonderful event at Windmill Hill on the Waddesdon Estate to raise funds for Horatio’s Garden, Stoke Mandeville. It was the perfect setting for the evening that was generously supported by the Rothschild Foundation. From your kind donations, purchasing items from our shop and also the auction on the eventing, we managed to raise over £35,000, which is Read the Rest...

Bruce Munro’s ‘Reflections’ – an installation in Salisbury

There is a wonderful new addition coming to the Garden Room at Horatio’s Garden in Salisbury. We are delighted that British artist Bruce Munro, who is best known for producing large immersive light-based installations, including a stunning projection piece at Salisbury Cathedral in 2014, is producing a new series of beautiful and immersive audio visual digital animations for Horatio’s Garden. This will be shown for the first time on Wednesday Read the Rest...

Wedding renewal at the new Horatio’s Garden in Scotland

Following the recent opening of Horatio’s Garden in Scotland, one of the patients renewed her wedding vows in a private ceremony with her husband. She chose a small pod because the purple flowers in the courtyard reminded her of her wedding colours when she married  in Mauritius 10 years ago. Helen, the Ward Assistant, and two volunteers, Carrie and Anne, decorated the Read the Rest...

Write on Kew

Catalina Willis the artist and writer of two Horatio’s Garden books will be performing at Write on Kew on Saturday 24th September 1-3pm. Catalina’s books can be purchased here The 16 year old artist Catalina said “It means a lot to me that the book helps people remember Horatio and raises some funds for his charity.” 

National Gardens Scheme

Horatio’s Garden Salisbury was opened for the National Gardens Scheme on Sunday 11th September 2-5pm. 126 guests visited and listened to a talk about gardens and well being while sitting in the sun in Horatio’s Garden. Guests enjoyed tea and delicious homemade cakes. The National Gardens Scheme support has helped to fund the third Horatio’s Garden at Stoke Mandeville.

Summer Newsletter 2016

Take a look at our summer newsletter here – if you would like to receive our bi-annual newsletters through the post please register here

Salisbury Mayor’s charity

Salisbury’s new mayor Derek Brown has chosen Horatio’s Garden as one of his mayoral charities for his term of office, alongside the Friends’ of Salisbury Cathedral and ABF the Soldiers’ Charity.

National Gardens Scheme

Horatio’s Garden has been selected by the National Gardens Scheme to become a beneficiary charity. At a press launch today the charity announced a donation of £130,000 to Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville capital appeal. Dr Olivia Chapple, Chair and Executive Trustee of Horatio’s Garden, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to be joining forces with the NGS whose aims are very Read the Rest...

Telegraph readers donate £254,464.88

The generous Telegraph readers have donated £254,464.88 to Horatio’s Garden during the Christmas 2015 appeal. At a cheque presentation ceremony the charity received a large cheque and had the opportunity to thank everyone who had donated, the team at the Telegraph and the people who so kindly shared their experiences of Horatio’s Garden for the articles.

Gregor Fisher visits Horatio’s Garden Scotland

Front page of the Herald – Gregor Fisher’s visit to Horatio’s Garden in Scotland as the building starts.

Meridian ITV

An interview with Olivia, patients and Joe Swift about the benefits of Horatio’s Garden and the Stoke Mandeville appeal.

NGS to support Horatio’s Garden

The fantastic news that the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) is to support Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville was announced in today’s Telegraph. The NGS has an interesting history dating back to the 1850’s that has always been closely related to health and nursing. Since its foundation, the National Gardens Scheme has donated over £45 million to its beneficiary charities, of which nearly Read the Rest...

David Chapple

Liz Hunt, deputy editor of the Telegraph, interviews David Chapple about the changing demographics of spinal cord injury. “We want to keep active, so are potentially exposed to more risks.” Talking about Horatio, David said: “He wanted to be a much more intelligent doctor like ‘House’. He was interested in all those difficult problems and diagnoses we don’t yet know Read the Rest...

Newsletter – Winter 2015

DO read our first newsletter – this will be a bi-annual production and if you would like to receive it by post please contact us here

Yoga day

A charity yoga day led by Megan Romilly raised £700 thanks to the generosity of the guests. Kindly hosted by Sophie Bainsfair at Chalkways, the day included yoga with Megan, meditation led by Frank Musker and listening to sound therapist, Joanie Solaini’s Chiron gong. [photography by Russell Emm]  

Head Gardener for Horatio’s Garden Scotland

We are looking to appoint a head gardener for two days a week for the second Horatio’s Garden at the Scottish National Spinal Injuries Unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow. The head gardener will be responsible for the maintenance of the garden, organise the volunteer gardener team and garden therapy for patients in collaboration with the occupational therapy Read the Rest...

“A haven for healing”

India Sturgis in the Telegraph meets some of the volunteers in Horatio’s Garden.

Anneka Rice

In the Daily Telegraph, on Saturday 26th December, India Sturgis interviews Anneka Rice about her involvement as an Appeal Patron of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville. Read the article here.    

Cleve West in the Telegraph

“I’ve never experienced such an intense emotional connection to a garden before.” Read about Cleve West’s experience of designing Horatio’s Garden Salisbury and the plans for the charity’s next gardens supported by the Telegraph Christmas Appeal.  

Sunday Telegraph Living

Read the Judith Woods interview with executive trustee Victoria Holton and her reasons for supporting Horatio’s Garden, in the Sunday Telegraph Living section. “There was no outside space when I was admitted, just a bleak expanse of ground. I’d wheel myself to the car park just to escape the ward.”  

Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal 2015

Horatio’s Garden was the beneficiary of the Telegraph’s Christmas Appeal 2015. Huge thanks to all the wonderful readers and team at the Telegraph who have donated so generously and helped raise an absolutely incredible £254,563.88.    

Simon Gudgeon

Sculptor Simon Gudgeon and garden designer Monique Gudgeon from Sculpture by the Lakes visited Horatio’s Garden Salisbury to plan an exciting sculpture exhibition for next summer. One of Britain’s leading contemporary sculptors, Simon Gudgeon, has a signature smooth style that marvellously concentrates spirit and nature. His minimalist, semi-abstract forms depict both movement and emotion of a moment captured with a Read the Rest...

Malcolm Group to support

Malcolm Group have very generously agreed to remove the spoil from Horatio’s Garden Scotland site as a donation to the charity. This fantastic offer will help hugely with the construction costs and we are extremely grateful.

Glasgow Warriors support Horatio’s Garden Scotland

Glasgow Warriors team visited Horatio’s Garden Scotland site to show their support for the project. Former captain All Kellock lead the team who will be helping with fundraising.    

Remember-Ring

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed so generously to Remember Ring at Salisbury Cathedral’s magnificent Magna Flora flower festival. Outside the cathedral opposite the new Bell Tower Tea room there is now a huge community flower arrangement. Visitors have chosen a flower and written a label with a message remembering a loved one, a place or sharing a Read the Rest...

2 King’s Bench Walk

We are delighted to announce that 2 King’s Bench Walk, the Chambers of William Mousley QC, is generously supporting Horatio’s Garden, and the development of additional Spinal Unit gardens throughout the UK.  

Artist Sarah Hough is artist in Residence

Brilliant artist Sarah Hough has been artist in residence this summer in Horatio’s Garden. Sarah has designed Horatio’s Garden Christmas card for the last two years. Sarah has been painting and talking with patients, staff, volunteers and visitors and creating beautiful works in different mediums.  

Horatio’s Garden to open new Garden Room

The Editor of Salisbury Journal, Bill Browne, visited Horatio’s Garden and wrote about the new garden room for patients and the upcoming Food and Plant Fair.   See the article here

‘H for Horatio’s Garden’ by Catalina Willis

Catalina Willis a young artist has written a stunning book for Horatio’s Garden. Called H for Horatio’s Garden the book is a whimsical romp around the 27 letters of the English alphabet, through Catalina’s eyes. It is beautifully illustrated, emotional, funny and enchanting. Catalina said “my book  is dedicated to Horatio , greatly loved and greatly missed and to all Read the Rest...

Chelsea Flower Show

Horatio’s Garden trustees were honoured and delighted to receive a from Prince Harry at the Chelsea Flower Show. Prince Harry talked to trustees Olivia Chapple and Victoria Holton about the work of the charity and the plans for the next Horatio’s Gardens. Horatio’s Garden tradestand won 3 gold stars from the RHS for the design of the stand which included Read the Rest...

Stoke Mandeville

Joe Swift has been announced as the next Horatio’s Garden designer. Horatio’s Garden is delighted that Joe has accepted to design Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville. The designs will include a large garden adjacent to the wards, a children’s garden for children with spinal cord injury and a roof top garden for patients in beds to enjoy. Joe is a celebrated Read the Rest...

Triple winners at the SGD awards

Cleve West won three awards for his design of Horatio’s Garden in Salisbury at the Society of Garden Designers Awards – the Oscars of garden design! He first collected the Public or Commercial Outdoor Space Award, followed by the People’s Choice Award, beating 14 other shortlisted designs. The most prestigious award, the Judges’ Choice, was also awarded to Cleve for Read the Rest...

Visit the Horatio’s Garden shop to find the perfect presents!

We’ve added some fabulous new products to the Horatio’s Garden shop. From seasonal, Christmassy items to great products that will be useful all year round, we hope you’ll find the perfect presents for your friends and family, as well as something for yourself! The Christmas cards have been designed by Dorset artist, Sarah Hough. They feature hellebores, also known as Read the Rest...

Rebecca Newnham’s Sculptures

There will be a private view of Rebecca Newnham’s sculptures on Saturday 18th October 10am – 12noon. Come and meet Rebecca and see her stunning works in Horatio’s Garden. Free entry, tea and coffee available.

BBC Gardeners’ World

Horatio’s Garden featured on Gardeners’ World in September 2014. Introduced by Monty Don the film features interviews with patients, Cleve West and Olivia Chapple. To see the film go to the home page and click on the left lower box.  

Gardeners’ World

Horatio’s Garden featured on BBC2’s Gardeners’ World programme, introduced by Monty Don.  Catch the wonderful piece on iplayer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04gv7tb  

Horatio’s Garden Christmas cards 2014

The 2014 Christmas cards are now available to order from the Horatio’s Garden online shop. The festive design features hellebores that are also known as Christmas roses. Dorset artist Sarah Hough designed the cards for Horatio’s Garden. They are printed in the UK on matte card and are available in packs of 10 cards. Each pack contains two colourways. For Read the Rest...

Short Listed for Society of Garden Designers’ Awards

Horatio’s Garden is honoured to have been shortlisted for the prestigious Society of Garden Designer’ Awards 2014 . Many congratulations to Cleve West for his incredible designing skill.  We join a shortlist of 30 in the main award categories. http://www.sgdawards.com

Early Early Christmas Fair

Horatio’s Garden will have a stall at the ABF’s Early Early Christmas Fair at the Polo Ground, Tedworth Park, Tidworth, Wiltshire SP9 7AH 100 carefully selected stalls offering a fantastic variety of well priced gift ideas, often not found on the High Street. There will be presents and indulgences; festive decorations; home accessories; luxury clothing for men, women and children; Read the Rest...

ITV’s All Star Mr and Mrs

Huge thanks go to Gregor Fisher and his wife Vicki for nominating Horatio’s Garden to be the beneficiary of their runner up prize for ITV’s All Star Mr and Mrs. Gregor and Vicki have donated the prize towards Horatio’s Garden Scotland  

A weekend of celebration in Horatio’s Garden

Horatio’s Garden’s summer weekend of celebration proved to be a great success with well over one and a half thousand visitors in attendance. The celebrations began on Friday evening with a summer drinks party in Horatio’s Garden. With laid-back jazz provided by the wonderful Teresa Shaw and sculptures on exhibition by Mark Coreth, it proved to be an enjoyable evening Read the Rest...

Lucy Bentley starts as artist in residence

Artist Lucy Bentley has started her residency in Horatio’s Garden. Lucy will be painting in the garden on Friday and Sunday afternoons

Eton College Flower Festival

Eton College recently celebrated the rennovation of the College Chapel with a Flower Festival. Each house celebrated an old Etonian, and Cotton Hall’s Flower design was in memory of Horatio Chapple, and recognised the work of Horatio’s Garden. The arrangement was done by Toria Britten.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to open the Food and Plant fair

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall will be opening this year’s Food and Plant Fair in Horatio’s Garden on Sunday 29th June. The fair will have around fifty stalls showcasing some of the best producers from the local area. Visitors will be able to choose lunch in the garden from a selection of delicious hot and cold foods, from stone baked pizza fresh from Read the Rest...

Chalke Valley Cycle Ride

Please join us on Sunday 21st September for a day’s bike ride in the stunning Wiltshire countryside. With options of 50 miles, 25 miles or 1 mile this could be the perfect summer fitness goal!   

Christmas party

Singer song writer Hannah Robinson entertained patients, friends, relatives, staff and volunteers for Horatio’s Garden Christmas party. Unusual winter sunshine graced the afternoon which enabled patients in beds to get into the garden. Mince pies and festive drinks served by young volunteers were enjoyed by all.

BALI National Landscape Award double winners!

Wycliffe Landscape – who built Horatio’s Garden – have won 2 BALI awards for Horatio’s Garden – in the Community and Schools Development category and also a new category of Outstanding Charitable Contribution.  Thanks to BALI who hosted a brilliantly organised event. Horatio would have approved as he loved Hugh Dennis (of Mock the Week fame) who was the fantastic Read the Rest...

David Gregg’s Atlantic Crossing

Huge Congratulations to Trustee David Gregg and the crew of yacht Alcedo! In a torrential squall, Alcedo swept across the finish line off St Lucia at 0612 on 12th December 2013. Their overall time for the Atlantic crossing was 17 days, 20 hours and 48 minutes travelling 2959 nautical miles. Thank you for all the incredibly generous donations in support Read the Rest...

Successful ‘View from the Garden’ project completed

Throughout September Horatio’s Garden has been host to an artist and archaeologist team who have been working with the patients of the spinal centre. This is thought to be the first project of its kind in a hospital setting. Artist Miranda Creswell has been drawing the view from Horatio’s Garden and sharing the experience with patients, staff and relatives. Zena Read the Rest...

Cleve West visits

Cleve West spent the day planning planting and development of Horatio’s Garden with Tina our head gardener. During the visit Cleve noticed a Hummingbird Moth enjoying the lavender.

Midsummer fundraising weekend

A midsummer weekend of fundraising took place in Horatio’s Garden in aid of the charity and proved a tremendous success. Activities started with a drinks party in the garden on Saturday evening. With musical entertainment from members of the British Paraorchestra, introduced by Charles Hazlewood, and sculptures by David Worthington on exhibition in the garden, a memorable evening was enjoyed Read the Rest...

New Horatio’s Garden products

Coming soon – Horatio’s Garden has extended its product range to include these great 100% cotton aprons and tea towels. We’ve designed some plant labels made from pale birch wood and jute bags that are available in two sizes. You’ll be able to buy them online here soon but, if you can’t wait that long, the complete range will be Read the Rest...

Eva Loeffler visits Horatio’s Garden

In April, Eva Loeffler visited Horatio’s Garden. Eva’s father, Ludwig Guttmann, established the first specialist centre for treating spinal injuries – Stoke Mandeville – in 1943. She commented: “My father Ludwig Guttmann used sport as a way of rehabilitating people with spinal cord injuries and helping them return to a normal life in society. Horatio’s Garden is a project in Read the Rest...