Gospels inspiration for Chelsea flower show

Date: 2003-05-12, Publication:

The Lindisfarne Gospels are the inspiration for our entry into this year's Chelsea Flower Show.

The design of the flower beds will reflect the decorative style of the Gospels and a floral statue of St Aidan will form the centrepiece.

The garden is the brainchild of Stan Timmins, the council's Principal Grounds Maintenance Manager.

"I felt that our entry had to be identifiably north eastern and, at the same time, unusual and distinctive.

"I had seen the Lindisfarne Gospels at the British Library and, suddenly, it all began to fit into place."

"This is our second entry for the show."

"Last year, we won a Silver award for our joint entry with Gateshead in support of the 2008 Capital of Culture Bid."

This year's flower show is held from 20-23 May and Stan hopes his team can go one better this time. "Last year's experience was brilliant and I couldn't wait to get back home and start planning another entry. We have used what we learned last year in planning our entry and have high hopes for the garden."

The team has been supported throughout the project by the British Library which is exhibiting the Gospels along with a range of related manuscripts, sculptures and artefacts, at a major exhibition to be held at the Library's St Pancras site.

Painted Labyrinth: The World of the Lindisfarne Gospels will be open from May 16 to September 28 and admission is free. Copies of the Gospels will also be going on display at about this time in Durham Cathedral and on Holy Island.

The garden has been generously supported by a number of businesses in the area, including Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd, Nomix Chipman, Fossway Builders, Chatfields and the Ford Motor Company.

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