We have done it again!  Gardening Leave have won the Gold Medal in the Courtyard Garden Section at the Ayr Flower Show 2010.   This year’s theme was a cottage garden designed by Peter Southall.

We were very well organised thanks to Hugh McAulay with everything planned military fashion.     All the hard landscaping was planned and stored in advance and the majority of the plants used in the garden were grown here by the veterans under Pamela’s toe tapping supervision (Jimmy’s words, not mine!)    There had been a few hiccups with some plants not in full bloom due to the weather however we managed to overcome this with kind donations of plants from Tor, one of our volunteers, and also from Ewan Peat, a local nurseryman.

The logistics were easier this year due to the kind offer of transport organised by John Thomson of W G Walker & Co and provided by Robert Glendinning of  TU-Max Haulage.  SAC Estates Department also assisted with the movement of hard landscaping and not forgetting our own volunteer, Ian Haynes for the removal of growing media and collection of lawn turf.  We couldn’t have managed without them.

As always, the veterans worked tirelessly and pulled together as a team finishing with two hours to spare before the judging!   Special thanks also to Alan McLaughlin for providing teas and coffees on demand, and all the veterans and volunteers involved who worked so hard to make this a success.

We have had great media coverage with Gardening Leave featuring in The Ayrshire Post, Ayr Advertiser, Glasgow Herald and Scotland on Sunday.

If you would like to see pictures from start to finish, please go to the Gallery Section.