Wirefence Supports Plumpton College with £264 Discount for BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair
On the 1st of May 2025 at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair held at Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum, Plumpton College unveiled their sensory garden creation, Art in the Dark. Wirefence supported the project by contributing £264 worth of discounted materials, which were used to create a gabion feature.The garden went on to win the prestigious Visitors’ Choice Best Showcase Garden Award, a testament to its creativity, impact, and public appeal.
About the Project
Plumpton College recently took part in the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, joining three other colleges in the College Gardens competition. Tasked with building a garden on a budget, the students were asked to interpret the theme ‘Nature’s Art within the Garden’. Guiding the teams throughout the process was celebrated garden designer Cherry Carmen, known for her Gold medal-winning work at BBC Gardeners’ World Live.
Plumpton’s garden, Art in the Dark, was inspired by Cyril – a fictional former RAF veteran who lost his sight in the war. Despite his blindness, Cyril and his wife Peggy designed a garden rich in sensory elements: strongly scented plants like mint, a mix of soft and coarse leaves, and a variety of textures underfoot, from bricks to stones.
The garden captivated visitors and judges alike, ultimately winning the coveted Visitors’ Choice Best Showcase Garden Award for its compelling narrative, sensory richness, and imaginative design.
Comment from Plumpton College
Pauline Sutherland, Horticultural and Garden Design Lecturer at Plumpton College, shared the story behind the build:
“Our students at Plumpton College wanted to show that instead of using wood as a supporting wall in our show garden, we chose gabions. We chose them for aesthetics, longevity and for stability. As you can see the show garden came out beautifly and we won the peoples choice award at BBC Gardeners World Spring Fair 2025”
Comment from Wirefence
Wirefence was proud to support this project by providing gabions, which played a crucial role in the garden’s structure and aesthetic. Erno, Customer Service Executive at Wirefence, said:
“We were delighted to assist Plumpton College with their Art in the Dark garden. It’s inspiring to see how the students utilized our gabions to create a space that engages all the senses, embodying the essence of nature’s artistry. Supporting the next generation of horticulturists in such meaningful projects aligns perfectly with our commitment to innovative and inclusive garden design.”
Project Images
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