‘The Largest Room In The House’ at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
17 April 2008
The 90th anniversary of the end of WW1 is to be commemorated as part of one of this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden entries, and The Royal British Legion is sponsoring the project.
Leeds City Council's Parks and Countryside Service's Chelsea Flower Show entry for the celebrated event between 20-24 May 2008, is entitled 'The Largest Room in the House' and is based upon the famous garden at Talbot House ('Toc H') in Poperinghe near Ypres, where British soldiers, and particularly the Leeds Pals, were able to rest between periods on the front line. The Legion is sponsoring the entry alongside Leeds-based firm GMI Property Company.
In association with the garden project, the Legion and Leeds City Council have organised a schools education project and poetry competition. Pupils from 16 Leeds schools are writing poems on the theme of ‘Nature and Remembrance’ as part of a competition inspired by the ‘The Largest Room in the House’. A poem, from both Primary and Secondary school entries, will be chosen to appear in a specially commissioned booklet. Both winning schools will receive a trip to the garden when it arrives in Chelsea.
The Legion will also be arranging for the winning Primary class to visit the National Army Museum in London, and the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and the winning secondary class will visit the National Army Museum and travel with Poppy Travel at The Royal British Legion on a tour of World War One battlefield sites.
Stuart Gendall, the Legion's Director of Corporate Communications said: "We believe it is hugely important that young people understand the importance of Remembrance and the sacrifices made by previous generations of young people in conflicts. It is a message of reflection and hope for a brighter future - and what can say that better than a garden. We are delighted our partnership with Leeds in this project is helping us to engage with local schools in this innovative way."
Councillor John Procter, Leeds Council's Executive Member for Leisure said: "Thanks to our partnership with garden sponsor The Royal British Legion, and their excellent education resource pack, we have developed a competition which we think will reflect the poignant qualities of remembrance but also the positive way in which nature and gardens can help us to cope with tragedy and loss."
For more information on the garden and competition, visit www.leedsatchelsea.co.uk/
For more information on Poppy Travel, visit www.poppytravel.org.uk
