Grow Ltd bench heading to Chelsea Flower Show

A BENCH crafted by members of the crew at Grow Ltd will feature in the Guernsey Clematis display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Raymond Evison commissioned Grow Ltd to make a bench that he will take with him to the Chelsea Flower Show this year to mark its and Guernsey Clematis’ 40th anniversary. Pictured left to right, Tom Rowe, Raymond Evison, Juliet Martel and Roger Lawrence. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 33207376)

Guernsey Clematis is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and when the company’s founder, Raymond Evison CBE, found out that Grow Ltd was also marking 40 years, he asked the charity to make a bench for his Chelsea display this year.

‘We have more than 2,000 clematis in the display and part of the display is this hoop which the clematis are growing up and we will have the bench in front of it for people to come and have pictures with,’ said Mr Evison.

‘I’ve always been a supporter of Grow and the work they do to enrich the lives of adults with learning disabilities.

‘So to jointly commemorate our longevity I asked them to create a bench in their fully-equipped workshop to feature on our Chelsea stand.’

Tom Rowe, Grow’s workshop lead, took on the project to create the bench out of iroko hardwood with the help of Grow Crew members.

‘I used iroko, which is also known as African teak, because it is incredibly durable and relatively easy to work with,’ he said.

‘Hours-wise it took us 16 to 20 hours to complete, with the help of at least five crew members.

‘I made it so it was flat pack for the crew members to put together.’

The bench will be taken to the Chelsea Flower Show by ferry on Sunday.

‘I’ve done quite a few projects that have gone to all sorts of places before but this is definitely the most prestigious.

‘Knowing it will be displayed in an environment where lots of well known people are also displaying it is really special,’ said Mr Rowe.

‘Working with Raymond on this has been a great opportunity.’

A plaque, painted by Juliet Martel, who now works at Guernsey Clematis after having been a Grow crew member, will also be displayed with the bench.

The plaque’s design includes three Clematis Guernsey Flute flowers, one of two new clematis varieties to be launched at the show.

‘I love working with Grow now after having been here as a crew member,’ said Miss Martel.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes place between 21-25 May.

‘It is a real pleasure to take a Grow creation to Chelsea thanks to the talents of both Tom and Juliet,’ said Mr Evison.

‘After the show I plan to lend the bench to Grow during this celebratory year so that visitors to their Centre can enjoy sitting on it.’