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Gold for NTU horticulture alumni at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019

Sue Hayward, who graduated from NTU in 2004, was awarded a gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019.

    Sue Hayward with her show garden
    Sue Hayward with her award winning garden

    Before coming to NTU, Sue was a garment designer in the fashion and textile industry and after a career change studied FdSc Horticulture and Garden Design followed by BSc (Hons) Landscape and Heritage, graduating in 2004.

    Sue won a gold medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show earlier this year for her garden design “The High Maintenance Garden for Motor Neurone Disease.”

    Speaking about her garden, Sue said: “The garden is a loved space, created over many years of hard work and is gradually being reclaimed by nature.

    “The iconic British hand-built car is of equal passion to the garden owner, and the result of planning for an enjoyable and active retirement.

    “The garden depicts the limitations of a person with motor neurone disease- the senses and mind are still active, but the body can be ‘locked in’.

    “The untended garden can still be sensed by the owner though it is gradually slipping back into nature’s control. Still, it has a relaxed beauty and atmosphere that is a haven for wildlife.”

    Speaking of her time studying at NTU, Sue added: “I really enjoyed my time at Brackenhurst and the students and tutors were really friendly and encouraging as well as the added bonus of learning in such a perfect setting as Brackenhurst Campus.

    “There were numerous outings to historic gardens and shows and also very prestigious visiting speakers which helped to get an insight into the garden design world.”