Gateshead Council has won a coveted silver medal with its spectacular garden, inspired by the Bupa Great North Run inspired garden complete with floral depiction of 55,000 runners crossing the Tyne Bridge into Gateshead.
The Council commissioned the stunning 1/9th scale replica of the Tyne Bridge - bigger than a double decker bus and covered with 55,000 viola flower heads - to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the staging of the Bupa Great North Run.
Councillor Mick Henry, Leader of Gateshead Council said:
“It's fantastic to be recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society in an event considered to be the most prestigious horticultural show in the world. It puts Gateshead on the map again, sending a strong message that we remain a key player in the cultural and sporting arena, and cementing our position as European City of Sport 2010.
“We look forward to welcoming 55,000 athletes in September, and many more visitors in the weeks and months ahead, giving them an opportunity to see exactly what Gateshead has to offer and providing a substantial and sustainable boost to the local economy.”
The Bupa Great North Run promotes an active and healthy lifestyle for all – a central theme for Gateshead Council and at the heart of its silver medal winning entry for this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
It even features an accessible for all working green gym so those in training for this year's event in September can work out.
“This is a very ambitious project, one that really fires the imagination inspiring our residents to lead active and healthy lives and reflecting the tremendous impact of having such an internationally recognisable event as the Bupa Great North Run right here on our doorstep,” said Councillor Henry
The design was devised by Alan J Smith, OBE of Redbox Design Group on the theme of ‘Active and Healthy Gateshead’. He said:
“This garden’s crescendo, its whole raison d’être, is the Tyne Bridge. Both the bridge and the run are iconic internationally recognised symbols of the North East and the aim is to represent both in a spectacular and eye catching way.”
Brendan Foster, chairman of the Bupa Great North Run, said:
“The garden we've planned with designer Alan Smith encapsulates everything that the Bupa Great North Run is about - excellence, accessible physical activity and the wow factor, all celebrating the North East.”
The Silver Medal winning garden will be on show to the public at Chelsea until Thursday May 27th before being dismantled. It will then be on view at the Civic Centre Open Day in Gateshead on the 4th July and subsequently shown at the Gateshead Summer Flower Show from July 30th to August 1st before being assembled on the Quayside for the Bupa Great North Run weekend from September 18th. Following this the garden will be installed permanently in a public area in Gateshead yet to be decided.