A HORTICULTURIST at CHAOS Farm the Roseland Peninsula was named as a finalist in one of the UK’s leading national garden and landscape design awards.

Sally Robinson was recognised in one of the Society of Garden Landscape Design Awards’ student categories. A graduate of Cornwall College University Centre’s BSc Garden and Landscape Design programme at the Eden Project, her honours project formed the basis of her finalist submission.

Nurture is a conceptual landscape for a fertility clinic planned for rural north Cornwall. The design integrates planting, water and thoughtful spatial arrangements to create a calm and supportive setting.

“I wanted to create a garden where everything within it would allow for a more relaxed experience from the moment that people arrive,” said Sally. “Having spaces within the garden set up for activities such as yoga and meditation can create a less stressful environment. Some studies showed that when people took part in a 12-week programme with activities like those, they had double the amount of success.”

At the heart of the scheme sits a reflective pool and arched structure, using water and form as symbolic references to fertility, optimism and new beginnings. Woodland planting, gentle pathways and quiet activity spaces support reflection, movement and outdoor wellbeing while also increasing the site’s ecological value.

“I feel very proud to have been nominated,” Sally added. “I spent a long time working on my honours project and felt very passionate about it, so it’s nice to get some recognition. It feels really exciting and I'm grateful for everyone's support.”

Sally has been helping to shape new garden projects across various CHAOS sites, including recent designs for a sensory garden and a wildlife pond. This is alongside her daily focus: propagating and tending vegetables in a market garden, and helping to co-ordinate volunteer activities that support individuals benefitting from horticultural therapy.

CHAOS Farm head grower Rich Hardy said he was “super-stoked” by Sally’s success. “To see her go off to these incredible awards - the Oscars of the sector - is just the cherry on the cake for us,” he said.

“All the big names in garden design and landscape architecture will be there, so Sally will have some great opportunities to talk about her work, her project and what she’s doing for us at CHAOS.

“This sector is growing. Since the pandemic, more people have discovered what their gardens can do for their physical and mental health. It’s natural we’re now seeing more projects in larger public spaces - in the NHS, care homes and hospices - where nature can play a part in recovery. CHAOS is really well placed to pioneer these kinds of projects in Cornwall.”

Judging were overseen by a panel chaired by Richard Sneesby, formerly leader of the Garden Design degree at Falmouth University. Winners were unveiled at a ceremony at The Landmark London on Friday [February 6].

CHAOS Farm provides a welcoming, safe and enjoyable space for individuals and groups to experience agriculture and the great outdoors, unlocking the potential for outdoor learning in a working farm environment near Veryan.