Peter Rabbit's adventures win award for Shropshire designer's great garden
He has already won gold using Beatrix Potter as an inspiration – and now Shropshire garden designer Richard Lucas has triumphed again with a stack of awards.
Richard, from Ellesmere, has received the Cumbria Tourist Award Rose Bowl for The Best Visitor Attraction Garden in Cumbria. It has been awarded by Cumbria in Bloom for his real life garden at The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness on Windermere.
In addition, the judges were so impressed by his efforts at this year's Chelsea Flower Show that they made a special discretionary award of a distinctively crafted plaque, made from Cumbrian juniper.
The extra award was to acknowledge his design for The Peter Rabbit Herb Garden, which achieved gold at the show in May.
Colin Cheyne, Cumbria in Bloom judge, said: "We were delighted to be able to present this discretionary award to the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction to recognise their gold medal success at Chelsea.
"Their efforts deserve the recognition and appreciation of Cumbrian businesses and people, and showcase more widely the quality and enterprise Cumbria can offer."
Richard works from his home in Shropshire, but has a special affinity to the Lake District. His design for the gardens of the four-star Lakeside Hotel in Cumbria were also awarded Cumbria in Bloom's Hotel Garden of the Year for a third year in succession. Judges recognised that the spectacular gardens re?ect the hotel's commitment to maintaining an exterior that is equally as stylish and luxurious as the interior.
Richard said: "It is an honour to receive these awards, and despite the gardens concerned being in Cumbria, most of my design inspiration is derived from right here, back home in Shropshire. My work takes me all over the country. I don't really advertise – this would have been from a personal recommendation."
The 49-year-old teamed up with Hooksgreen Herbs from Stone in Staffordshire for The Peter Rabbit Herb Garden.
