Group wins silver-gilt medal at Chelsea Flower Show

A not-for-profit organisation that supports people with learning disabilities has won a silver-gilt medal at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.

Pulp Friction, based in Bestwood, Nottingham, is among the hundreds of exhibitors at the prestigious event.

The group said it spent more than a year preparing for the annual show.

From Saturday, it shared its display made up of edible plants and recycled materials.

The "Growing Garden Skills" display was partly inspired by Sherwood Forest and includes five trees, which Pulp Friction says represents "only 5% of adults with a learning disability are currently in paid employment".

The group, which also runs a community café, a choir and other initiatives, aims to help improve employment rates among people with a learning disability.

Jill Carter, 65, who runs the organisation, said the team had been working towards the prestigious flower show for 18 months.

Speaking to the BBC from Chelsea, she said: "It's been really exciting. Seeing the garden come together was quite emotional and I'm not usually an emotional person.

"We've proved that with the right support and right team around them that our members can really achieve something this big."

The team grew runner beans, herbs, marigolds and succulents for the garden, and hand-crafted tiles and bird houses.

It was designed by the UK-based firm, Dutch Landscape Architects.

A halo structure in the garden was made out of a recycled fire hose, donated by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, which the group has an ongoing partnership with.

After the show, the garden will be rehomed at Stockhill Fire Station in Basford.

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