'NS&I: growing Britain' wins president's award at Chelsea Flower Show
'NS&I: Growing Britain' - the exhibit featuring British-grown produce and sponsored by NS& I - and designer Penny Riley have won the highly prestigious President's Award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2007.The award - a large, engraved crystal dish presented to Penny Riley by RHS president Peter Buckley - recognises the president's personal choice of the floral exhibits in the Great Pavilion.
'NS&I: Growing Britain' is a visually stunning display showcasing the very best of British produce. Penny, together with her team, has a stellar track record at the Chelsea Flower Show, with more than 20 medals under her belt.
The display features a vibrant selection of more than 60 types of fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and plants produced by professional growers from across the UK. Presented in 25 galvanised steel cubes and towers of varying heights, the display represents growth, modernism and security, and is sponsored by NS& I (National Savings and Investments).
Outstanding efforts
On receiving the award, Penny said: "I couldn't quite believe it at first. It's such a tremendous honour.
"The award isn't for me or for the design of the display, though. It recognises the outstanding efforts of the team who put the display together, the British horticultural industry which supplies the produce displayed at Chelsea and NS& I who sponsored us this year. Everyone has worked really hard for this."
RHS president, Peter Buckley, added: "This impressive exhibit is both simple and striking and displays such a wide range of produce in an exceptionally appealing way. I particularly like the amalgamation of fruit and vegetables within the individual floral displays, and the way the produce has been combined to produce a joyous rainbow of vibrant colour."
"It's a magnificent way to present flowers, fruit, vegetables and plants in one single exhibit and the award is justly given. It is wonderful as well that this display was a combined effort with all the plants being grown by members of the National Farmers' Union."
Produce from across Britain
From exotic-sounding Enoki mushrooms and Flavorino vine tomatoes to different brightly coloured peppers, pink and white aubergine and several kinds of potato, strawberries, lilies and fuchsias - all the produce in the display is grown in Britain for sale in supermarkets, farm shops, markets and grocers across the UK.
Visitors will also have a chance to take home a piece of this display at the Saturday 4pm sell-off. A Chelsea tradition, the display was sold out in an hour in 2006 as the public rushed to sample the best of British produce.
All the produce has been supplied by growers from across the UK.
A natural partnership
'NS& I: Growing Britain' is a partnership between National Savings and Investments (NS& I) and British growers, represented by the National Farmers' Union (NFU), and will showcase the diverse, professional and dynamic horticultural industry in the UK in tandem with the security and straightforwardness of one of the country's largest financial providers.
The display, constructed from materials sourced entirely from British suppliers and featuring British produce, is sponsored by NS&I, which has been providing financial services in Britain since 1861.
John Prout, NS&I sales director, said: "This is a fantastic result for Penny and her team and the award is a great recognition of her skill and ability in presenting fruit, vegetables and flowers supplied by British producers. It is a great achievement for all of us, and NS& I is especially proud to be associated with this display at the Chelsea Flower Show."