Castle Gardens in Sherborne and Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil have scooped top national awards in the Garden Centre Association’s annual Christmas competition. Up against garden centres across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including big names in the industry, Castle Gardens has claimed first place for the tenth time and Brimsmore Gardens has come third in the garden centre category.
Featuring themes such as rainbows for the NHS, Mary Poppins and the natural world, the group has also taken people and the planet into consideration along the way, with much of the scenery and props constructed using repurposed and recycled materials, such as timber, fabric and cardboard. Many of the decorations have also been sourced from small scale makers and fair-trade businesses, with the hope that they last a lifetime and are passed down through the generations.
Covid-safety measures, such as mandatory face coverings, hand sanitising points, one-way systems and more space to allow for social distancing were all still in place at each of the Christmas displays to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.
