This award-winning garden designed by Kate Gould and constructed by The Garden Builders for the urban gardens category of the 2011 RHS Chelsea Flower Show transforms a commemorative theme into an engaging outdoor relaxation space. The garden celebrates the 650th anniversary of The Magistrates Association and features many elements that relate to the magistrates' work, including timelines and inscriptions, lettering on cushions (with the pillows made by prisoners)and, most prominently, a pine bench carved in the word itself, a whimsical tribute.
Plants were grouped in threes, following the composition of a court. The water feature contains three fountains, each with three water cascades. Tall plane trees provide shelter in the garden and a colourful living wall adds much liveliness to the scheme.
The garden is meant to be a space and sanctuary for magistrates to relax and reflect in the course of work, as it is located near the courtrooms in what would be a central, urban setting.
