For the past 9 months I have been project manager for a rehabilitation garden for the spinal patients at the Duke of Cornwall Treatment Centre, Salisbury District Hospital.

Horatio's Garden has been designed by Cleve West, and funded by charitable donations and fundraising from a charity set up in memory of Horatio Chapple, a schoolboy who was tragically killed by a polar bear in 2011 whilst on a school trip to Norway.

My role was to liaise with the Horatio's family, Southern Spinal Injuries Trust and the NHS, as well as oversee the build for Cleve, who was also involved in Chelsea Flower show at the time, so not able to oversee the day to day running of the project.

Horatio's father is the chief consultant at the Centre, and he and Horatio had concluded that the patients would benefit from an outdoor space during their extremely long stay at the unit. Horatio conducted the research that identified the patients' need for a garden.  Their wish was to be outside in the fresh air, away from the hospital ward.  A beautiful place to be with family and friends, as well as enjoy the sun and rain on their faces.

 

I worked with all parties on the initial budget, and with the contractor, organizing

sub-contractors as well as sourcing materials and plants for the best prices and discounts. 

The garden incorporated approx. 1100 m2 of permeable resin bound hard landscaping allowing good access for the patients in wheelchairs and beds. The sinuous stone spine walls were built by a craftsman from Scotland, who had worked with Cleve on his 2011 Chelsea Garden, and he was on site every day for a whole month during which it rained just about every day.  

 

We planted 23 trees in the garden to replace the ones that were unsuitable for the site, and the main planting was done in pouring rain with the help of volunteers, which again was not ideal but we had a tight deadline to meet, with the official opening date looming.

 

The garden incorporates a wonderful Hartley Botanic greenhouse, with raised air-dried oak planting beds and a workstation for potting up and seed planting.  There is a water rill, steel apple arch and summerhouse with a sedum roof.  Tables and seating were carefully thought about with the help of the occupational therapists from the unit.  This is a garden first and foremost for the spinal patients.

 

This has been a project that has tested me on all levels, but without the support of a fantastic contractor and volunteers would never have come to fruition as quickly as it has.

The garden opened on the 30 September 2012, just 13 months after Horatio died, and as his mother says it is  "a symbol of love, kindness and courage. These are qualities that Horatio had, which I treasure and miss and will remember forever.  We hope it will inspire all who use it."

 

To find out more about Camilla  visit www.camillahileygardens.co.uk 

Founded by Robin Templar Williams FSGD, APLD (USA), M-BALI and Moira Farnham MSGD, M-BALI