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A magical mystery garden in memory of Beatle George
Valentine Low, Evening Standard19.05.08
Chelsea Flower Show became a place of nostalgic reflection today as George Harrison's widow Olivia posed by her garden devoted to the memory of the late Beatle alongside Sir Paul McCartney's daughter Mary.
As Mrs Harrison put the finishing touches to her creation, Mary, a professional photographer, took pictures of the garden entitled From Life To Life. Designed with Yvonne Innes, it recalls Harrison's life from his birth in Liverpool to his post-Beatle years in Henley.
Another Beatle, Ringo Starr, was expected to visit the garden at Chelsea which this year is putting on its greenest show ever, with show gardens being recycled for the first time and ecologicallyinspired exhibits. They include a Wind In The Willows garden highlighting the plight of "Ratty" the water vole, an organic agrarian garden and an environmentally-friendly urban plot for families.
Other visitors today included Chris Tarrant, Melinda Messenger and Damon Hill, with the Queen and other members of the royal family going later.
However, the press day was overshadowed by a row over the future of the show. For its 86-year history, it has been held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital but this could be the last time after council chiefs told organisers they would have to apply for planning permission from next year. The Royal Horticultural Society, which runs the show and has never previously needed permission, said it may have to close the event or move it elsewhere.
Among residents celebrating the decision was Reg Miller, 57, who lives opposite the showground in Chelsea Bridge Road and has been campaigning against it for more than six years. The retired police officer said: "I don't understand why the council has allowed this chaos to go on - the noise, pollution, congestion and destruction of a natural habitat. All other major events have to apply for planning permission, why should this be any different?"
Designers attacked the decision, claiming it would destroy the show. Geoffrey Whiten, who exhibited at the show since 1975, said: "It's crazy it has to apply for planning permission, and would be even crazier if it had to move elsewhere. It just wouldn't be the same, and would be very sad." But Mrs Innes agreed with residents. She said: "There is something magical about this place, but they ought to move it really. A bigger, much more open space is needed for the show."
Neither the council nor the RHS is backing down and both have been seeking legal advice. An RHS spokeswoman said: "We would not want planning consent issues to jeopardise the future of the show."
Major General Peter Currie, lieutenant-governor of the Royal Hospital, said: "The RHS genuinely feel that if this is pushed to its conclusion they might not be able to continue with the show."
A council spokesman said: "There is no quarrel between the Chelsea Flower Show and the Royal Borough. The flower show has been part of the fabric of the borough for decades and long may it continue to be so."
Outside the showground, shops such as Tiffany and Cartier in Sloane Street are joining in with giant floral displays. Maria Grachvogel designed a dress specially for the show.
Inside the show, The River and Rowing Museum's Ratty's Refuge is designed to show gardeners living near waterways how they can help the water vole - whose numbers have declined by about 90 per cent since 1990 - to survive by creating wildlife refuges.
The recycling of show gardens means that gardening paraphernalia, worth up to £4 million and including exotic plants, waterfalls, palm trees and the odd wind turbine, are to be saved from the skip and given away. Organisers The Charities Advisory Trust said that only allotment groups, schools and charities can claim the goods.
Director Hilary Blume said: "We wanted everything to go to a worthy cause - not someone from The Bishops Avenue looking for something for their garden."
Reader views (1)
Mr Reg Miller is like those people who buy a house next to an airport and then complain about the noise.
OK - move the flower show, close the RHS, bulldoze the site and then take three years of noise and dust to build a monsterous glass structure and also raise Mr Miller's rates by 200%!
Much applause for Olivia Harrison - if George was alive today he'd be dancing in his grave saying, 'That's brill!"
Are the Ozzies going to take out the prizes, yet again. Pity we can't get our gardens like that - the drought has decimated them.
- Ian Heritage, Melbourne, Australia
