Debut success for flowering fancies (From Penarth Times)

Debut success for flowering fancies

A PENARTH architect has struck gold at the Chelsea flower show.

Barry Mayled, 53, of Redlands Road, entered the world's most prestigious gardening event for the first time this year and was delighted to be a winner.

The Times has followed the story from the start when St Joseph's school grew flowers for Barry's showpiece back in early spring.

A thrilled Mr Mayled said: "The Chelsea show is probably the pinnacle of a gardener's career. Out of 39 entries in our category only two were awarded gold medals. We also won best garden."

During the show Barry met the Queen, which he said was a great moment for him. Barry admits that nerves got the better of him during their meeting and he became tongue-tied.

But, by the sound of things the Queen took the lead. Barry told us: "She was very interested in the garden and its theme."

Barry's work also attracted visits from celebrities such as BBC Ground Force presenter Alan Titchmarsh who said he was impressed by the practicality of the design.

It is only a few years since Mr Mayled qualified as a garden designer at Cardiff University and has added this expertise to his business.

He said of his success: "It is amazing to think that some of the other competitors were able to call on multi-million pound benefactors.

"We had nothing like that available to design our garden but we still won."

Pupils from St Joseph's School visited the show to see the fruits of their labour, which was to grow some of the flowers in the school greenhouse.

They were able to travel to the event courtesy of a grant provided by the Welsh Assembly.

Barry's garden has been donated to Ty Hafan Children's Hospice and St Joseph's will help to tend the land.

Parts of the medal-winning plot have already been transported and Sir Steve Redgrave will officially open the garden when it arrives in the next month.