Leeds Students Contribute to Award-Winning RHS Sandringham Garden

Local horticulture learners involved in creating a medal-winning show garden

Horticulture students from Leeds City College have played an important role in the development of a show garden that received a bronze Gilt Medal at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Sandringham Flower Show. The event took place in July on the King’s Sandringham Estate and is known for showcasing high-quality garden designs.

Student involvement in the Mindful Meadowlands garden

Four Level 3 Horticulture students from Leeds City College’s School of Land and Animal Science, based at Temple Newsam, contributed to the creation of the Mindful Meadowlands garden. This 9m by 9m show garden was developed in partnership with Constructing Minds with Nature, a landscape design studio specialising in charitable and community gardens.

The students – Jack Hutchinson, Catherine Arnold, Vicky Cotterill, and Yiu Wong – assisted with the final planting phase of the garden. Their tasks included plant conditioning, identification, placement, and applying design techniques, working alongside professional designers, landscapers, and horticultural specialists.

Student reflections and educational support

One of the students, Vicky Cotterill, described the experience as valuable, highlighting the opportunity to work both independently and collaboratively while applying their studies in a practical setting. She expressed satisfaction at the garden’s recognition, noting that the award reflected the hard work and planning involved.

The students were supported throughout the project by horticulture tutors Daniel Schofield and Hollie Farrow, along with Deputy Head of Department Darren Campini. The college worked closely with Constructing Minds with Nature to facilitate this hands-on learning opportunity.

Horticulture tutor Hollie Farrow commented on the benefits for the students, emphasising the chance to learn from industry professionals and develop skills relevant to high-pressure projects. She noted that the garden’s themes of climate resilience and public wellbeing align with current priorities in green skills careers.

Future plans for the Mindful Meadowlands garden

The garden is scheduled to be relocated in November to Ascot Park as part of a collaborative initiative between Places for People and Gascoyne Estates. It will continue to serve as a welcoming green space for local residents.