RHS Malvern Spring Festival showpiece to mark RAF centenary is target of £35,000 appeal - The Malvern Observer

RHS Malvern Spring Festival showpiece to mark RAF centenary is target of £35,000 appeal

Malvern Editorial 31st Jan, 2018   0

A GOLD MEDAL winning garden designer has launched an ambitious bid for the £35,000 he needs to bring a poignant showpiece commemorating his family’s proud military history to life.

Martyn Wilson hopes his design, marking 100 years since the end of the First World War and also the founding of the Royal Air Force on April 1, 1918, will form the showpiece at this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival.

But for his project to take off, the Worcester designer needs help to secure the funds to craft vital pieces which will stand at the Three Counties Showground to remember the brave servicemen and women who have served in conflicts over the last 100 years.

Recognising such a significant milestone, the showground has handed over an area of land for the special garden ‘Memories of Service’ to remain after the four-day festival ends.




It will stand as a permanent tribute to those from Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire who served in the RAF.

Martyn, who served as a senior aircraftsman in the RAF, is the third generation in his family to have dedicated their careers to serving the country.


His brother Peter Wilson is a warrant officer at RAF Brize Norton along with his sister-in-law Sergeant Sim Rezazadeh-Wilson while his father Sergeant Barrie Wilson and his grandfather Flight Sergeant Arthur Brown also served.

“The RAF reaching its 100th birthday is such a significant milestone that I felt it deserves all our recognition,” said Martyn.

“Living in Worcester and having served at RAF Hereford, what better place than the RHS Malvern Spring Festival to create this garden.

“With three generations of my family having served in the RAF it is really personal and means so much to me to honour my family, friends and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

He added his hope was visitors, servicemen and women, veterans and their families wound enjoy the tribute and be proud of the Royal Air Force and all it has achieved over the last 100 years.

To give his project lift-off, Martyn has secured a sponsorship for his garden hedges and lawn but needs to fund-raise for the cost of landscaping and planting.

The garden will be full of subtle nods to aviation history in layout and design and aims to help raise funds for military charities at RHS Malvern.

Those who fund the project will be able to have the name of a loved one laser cut into one of the permanent panels surrounding the garden for £100.

Visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/raf-100-centenary-garden-rhs-malvern-show-2018 to donate.

Visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk for information on this year’s show.

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