All aboard for flower show entry (From Penarth Times)

All aboard for flower show entry

A PENARTH architect has won the backing of a five-times Olympic Gold medalist in his bid for success at the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show.

The nautical-themed Compass Garden has been adopted by rower Sir Steve Redgrave's charitable trust to help raise funds for children's causes.

The garden has been created by award-winning designer Barry Mayled.

The 52-year-old former sub-lieutenant of the Royal Naval Reserve leads a small team of Welsh craftspeople and students who are helping to create Wales's only garden entry at this year's high-profile event.

Barry Mayled recently graduated in garden design from the University of Wales Institute with the BTEC Higher National Student prize.

He has been invited by the Royal Horticultural Society to turn his ideas for a specialist 'city' garden into reality at the Chelsea Flower Show, running from May 19-23, attracting 160,000 visitors including the Queen.

Barry's design is for an apartment or penthouse balcony, patio or rooftop, demonstrating that living in modern marina homes does not mean giving up the colourful delights of a garden.

Like Sir Steve Redgrave, Barry is diabetic and tests his blood regularly to control his sugar levels.

Sir Steve, whose parents once ran a garden centre, said: "I'm delighted to link the Trust with Barry's Compass Garden.

It's an excellent platform to both raise funds for the Trust and to highlight again the fact that diabetes need not stand in the way of achievement. "

Mr Mayled added: "Running a busy architectural and garden design practice has its stresses and strains, reflected in my varying insulin requirements.

And it makes me appreciate just how phenomenal Sir Steve's achievements have been.

"As the world's greatest flower show, Chelsea is run with military precision and exhibitors are given only a small window of time in which to construct gardens and stalls.

I am confident we have pulled together artisans and suppliers who will make sure Wales is represented well."