Chelsea Pensioners celebrated in flower show entry

The 300-year-old heritage of the Royal Hospital Chelsea as a "home for soldiers broken by age and war" will be reflected in a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show next month.

The Chelsea Pensioners, retired British Army veterans, live at the Royal Hospital in London and have helped shape the design, which includes a homage to their scarlet uniforms.

Jim Lycett, who joined the British Army at 15, said gardening added "another theme" to his life and he was often at the Royal Hospital's allotments.

Dave Green, who designed the show's 2023's Contemplation and Celebration garden in memory of the late Queen, said he was "very lucky" to work with the Chelsea Pensioners to design their garden.

Mr Lycett was stationed in Germany and the Middle East before returning to a London posting.

He said: "I like to see the roses come out, because they're they're hard work.

"Anything that I plant, I'd just like to see how it comes up."

Barbara Whilds, who has been at the Royal Hospital for 15 years, said the allotments were important to her.

She said the garden at the show would be "a little haven, a little oasis".

The Chelsea Pensioners' entry is a woodland garden with colourful planting to the edge to reflect the colourful dress.

A central seating area features cushions made from recycled scarlet uniforms.

Mr Green said: "When you come inside the the garden, the planting is going to be much more textural and muted, with blue flowers to reflect the blue uniforms that the pensioners wear every day."

After the show, the garden will be installed as a permanent feature at the Royal Hospital for pensioners to use with members of the family, the local community or other veterans who are who are not resident at the hospital.

Mr Green described it as "a real long-term legacy project".

Any former soldier of the British Army aged over 65 who is facing spending their later years alone can apply for residence at the Royal Hospital as a Chelsea Pensioner.

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