A Load of Old Rubbish
The Load of Old Rubbish garden is the brainchild of college designers Gary Hillery, Ken Walton, and Stephen Robson. The garden utilises sustainable planting with most of the 40 plants in the garden being herbaceous perennials with lots of foliage and light and dark flowers, including 11 species of Echinacea and 6 species of Heuchera. The plants signify the beauty of sustainable growth through endeavour and the planting of perennials signifies a bright, long-lasting future for the students.
As the theme is recycling, the timber in the garden is from a portacabin, the granite tiles are from a previous garden and the slate roof of the arbour is made from a recycled snooker table. The arbour is designed to fit two people so it can be used for counselling sessions. The discarded items have been refurbished, enhanced and transformed into an attractive, functional garden. The Load of Old Rubbish entry also includes solar panels, which show the hidden energy available in times of crisis, for wi-fi in the arbour and to run the water pump.
The garden reflects the positives of people who don’t have a full skill set. There is a stunning half copper basin against one wall which is a mirror, this makes it appear to be a full round basin, and everything is not as it appears.
The water feature represents trainees as they are transformed and the mirror represent both how they may appear whole but are not, and how they appear to be less than whole but with hidden potential until, through training, they can become complete. Cleverly the water running in the pipe will be half white water and half black water and they will meet in the middle. Overall the garden depicts the recycling of the students as their self-respect is reclaimed, resulting in rebirth and a new beginning.
The Load of Old Rubbish garden will return to the college and set up within an area there so the students have a quiet place for reflection.
The Load of Old Rubbish project met all of its desired outcomes; to involve all horticultural and joinery trainees in the design and building of the project, improve employability of trainees involved who are experiencing mental health issues, and to promote good environmental gardening practices which included using recycled materials, water and solar energy in the final garden.