Official Opening of the Chelsea Flower Show Microbiome Garden with Bowel
Research UK, Designers Chris Hull, Sid Hill, Ambassadors, and Special Guests

The Apricot Centre, Totnes, Devon

Join us for the official opening of the Microbiome Garden at the Apricot Centre, a unique event celebrating the relocation of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show's Microbiome Garden. This garden, designed by the talented duo Chris Hull and Sid Hill, explores the fascinating link between a healthy landscape, a healthy gut, and a healthy mind.

The Journey to the Apricot Centre

In November, Sid Hill approached the Apricot Centre with the generous offer to relocate the garden after its debut at the Chelsea Flower Show in May. We were thrilled to accept, unaware of just how special this garden would be. By the end of May, the garden was skilfully relocated with the Chelsea team working alongside our dedicated volunteer asylum seekers from Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support. These volunteers have been tirelessly landscaping the well-being garden since January 2024 to accommodate the Microbiome Garden.

The Microbiome Garden: A Fusion of Health and Nature

The Bowel Research UK Microbiome Garden, designed by Sid Hill and Chris Hull, is a pioneering project that highlights the connection between ecological health and human well-being. The garden features an edible meadow inspired by wild meadows, combining ornamental grasses and edible perennials to create a rich tapestry of colours and textures.

Key plants include:

- **Deschampsia cespitosa**

- **Sesleria autumnalis**

- **Briza media**

- **Hordeum jubatum**

- **Persicaria Bistorta**

- **Camassia quamash**

- **Lupinus luteus**

These plants not only enhance the garden's beauty but also offer significant gut health benefits, promoting a diverse and healthy microbiome.

Handcrafted Sculptural Features

The garden includes an oak sculptural wall, hand-carved and scorched by Sid, Chris, and the team from Atlantes Landscapes, symbolising the human bowel. This wall meanders through the garden, leading to a hexagonal timber shelter, 'The Hive', made from Douglas fir and Cedar. The Hive serves as a gathering space for food preparation and refuge from the elements.

The Designers: Chris Hull and Sid Hill

Chris Hull brings over 16 years of experience in horticulture and garden design. A regular presenter on the BBC TV show Garden Rescue, Chris is known for his sustainable garden designs that use locally sourced materials and diverse plantings. He holds a BSc Hons in Garden Design from Sparsholt College and has received numerous accolades, including the Pro Landscaper’s ‘30 Under 30 Award.’

Sid Hill has been gardening since the age of 10 and has 15 years of experience managing a landscape business. He holds a 1st Class Honours degree in Ethnobotany & Landscape Design from the Eden Project. Sid's work has received international recognition, and he is dedicated to creating landscapes that support biodiversity, grow food ecologically, and improve people's lives.

Bowel Research UK and Project Giving Back

Bowel Research UK is a national charity funding life-changing research into bowel cancer and other bowel diseases. The charity's mission is to save and improve lives by investing in cutting-edge treatments. The Microbiome Garden is part of their initiative to raise awareness about the importance of gut health.

Project Giving Back (PGB) is a unique grant-making charity that funds gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, PGB aims to help UK-based charities recover by providing them with a platform to raise awareness of their work.

Hannah Walker

Hannah Walker is a highly experienced HCPC registered dietitian, plant-based cookery teacher, and foraging leader based in Totnes. With a background in paediatric dietetics from her NHS work in London, she addresses nutritional issues like malnutrition, weight management, digestive problems, and food allergies. She also supports autistic children and their families with aversive eating behaviors and nutritional deficiencies.

Hannah's holistic approach to nutrition emphasizes a connection to nature and nutritious food. She leads community cooking and foraging courses, advocating for plant-based diets and zero waste cooking. Her motto, "eat the rainbow," promotes a diverse and colorful diet.

A key focus of Hannah's work is the gut microbiome. She integrates research on gut health, highlighting the importance of pulses, fibres, and plant-based foods in modulating the gut microbiota. She believes a healthy gut biome improves digestion, reduces inflammation, and enhances mental well-being, principles she incorporates into her classes and courses.

A Lasting Legacy

Following its debut at the Chelsea Flower Show, the Microbiome Garden has found a new home at the Apricot Centre. This sustainable farm helps children and families understand the fundamental link between soil health, food, habitat, and human well-being. The garden will continue to inspire and educate visitors about the importance of a healthy gut and its impact on mental and physical health.

Event Highlights

**Garden Tour:** Explore the beautifully relocated Microbiome Garden.

**Educational Talks:** Learn about the creation of the garden and the importance of gut health.

 **Farm Walk** Experience regenerative farming and its reflection on gut biome diversity.

**Family-Friendly Activities:** Children are welcome to enjoy a space of magic, inspiration, creativity, and play.

**Tifa's Sensory Path and Pebble Beach** Paint a pebble to add to the beach.

Please note that dogs are not allowed at this event.

This is a free event though donations will be welcome, click here to book.

We look forward to welcoming you to this special event and sharing the wonders of the Microbiome Garden with you.