Local garden designer Kristina Clode has scooped two prestigious national awards for her work designing and building the sensory garden at Sedlescombe primary school in East Sussex.
The garden was selected for both the design for the environment and judge’s awards by the Society of Garden Designers in an annual event which highlights the very best in horticultural design and innovation across the UK.
At a glittering ceremony at London’s Landmark hotel on Friday night, October 15, the sensory garden was described in head judge Richard Sneesby’s speech as “extraordinary”.
He said: “It’s generous, beautiful, stimulating, creative, all the things that you want a garden to be, and it possibly sets a new high bar for school grounds in the future.”
The sensory garden was designed by Kristina on a shoestring budget of £5,000 in 2017 and built with the help of parents, staff and the children themselves, who all participated by planting a plant and laying stones to mark out the pathways.
Kristina said: “This was a really special project to me as both of my children have been at school here; they were involved in building the garden alongside me, as were all the children at the school and many of their parents and teachers – it was a true community effort.”
Opened in January 2018 by head gardener at Great Dixter Fergus Garrett, the tranquil garden sits in contrast to the bustling playground beyond, a place for the children and their teachers to be immersed in colourful plants of different heights, textures and scents. The sustainable, low-maintenance design also helps children learn about the environment and develop an interest and love for horticulture.
Richard Sneesby said this was perhaps the most important judge award they had given in the last decade.
“Not only does this illustrate what can be done with a tiny budget and the generosity of people’s time, most importantly it’s really good design,” he said.
“This kind of project we hope is a precedent, we hope that funding bodies will increasingly realise the critical role that these projects bring to early years development, and society as a whole, and that money, and I mean proper money, that pays fees and pays all of our suppliers and everyone to do this, follows these projects.”
Mum-of-two Kristina, based in Brede, said she was “thrilled” her garden had received recognition from the Society of Garden Designers judges, for both its design and as an inspirational precedent to encourage more school gardens to be properly funded and built.
“I don’t think a garden with such a tiny budget has ever won the judges award before,’ she said. ‘I’m very proud of the garden, it took a lot of effort to make it a reality, but we created a piece of magic for the children, teachers and wildlife to enjoy every day.”
School head Caroline Harvey added: “The children, staff and parents of Sedlescombe Church of England Primary School absolutely love our amazing sensory garden that not only looks stunning all year round, but also provides a haven for our children that supports their learning, play and mental and spiritual well-being. I am thankful to everyone who gave their time, skills and commitment to bringing Kristina’s design to life. We feel very lucky to have such a special garden as a part of our school grounds.”
Image Credits: Abigail Rex , Kristina Clode .