The RAF100 Celebration Garden 'Memories of Service'

On 1 April 2018, the Royal Air Force will be celebrating its 100th birthday. We want to celebrate this occasion and the history of the Royal Air Force by building a permanent RAF100 tribute garden as an RAF100 Appeal official project.

We have a fantastic opportunity to create a poignant and fitting tribute to the RAF. All Funds raised will help to build the garden including the purchase of materials, plants and bespoke sculpture.

We will be supporting the official RAF100 Appeal through the garden and any additional funds raised over and above our target will be donated to the RAF100 Appeal.

About the Garden

The garden will be a celebration of the centenary of the formation of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1918. In addition the garden will be a fitting tribute to the ending of the First World War one hundred years ago.

The show garden will feature references to the heritage of the RAF but will also look to the future.

The garden will be entered through steel panel gates that will be laser cut with the words RAF100 to commemorate this significant milestone in the RAF’s proud history.

Surrounded on four sides by hedging two sides will include Corten steel panels, laser cut with different periods reflecting the RAF’s proud history.

The garden is crossed by four elliptical shaped pathways which are informed by the shape of a four bladed propeller. The pathways arrive at a semi-circular seating area, a space for reflection and discussion which will feature a central sculpture.

A mixture of topiary shaped balls will be a reference to radar and the so called ‘Golf Balls” at RAF Fylingdales and at the former RAF Defford in Worcestershire.

White barked Birch trees reflecting peace will also reference the birch ply of early aviation and air frames. Perennial planting will reflect the ‘colours’ (claret, blues and white) of the RAF dress and tie but also to evoke the billowing of clouds and vapour trails.

Martyn will military charities or organisations to maintain the garden in the long term, particularly those charities or organisations that support sufferers of PTSD, mental health issues or veterans experiencing loneliness. This will enhance the support to local veterans, giving them a purpose and an environment to support each other through physical activity and for PTSD sufferers an opportunity to engage with a local support group.

The Designer & the Royal Air Force

Martyn Wilson is a multi-award winning garden designer based in Worcester, Worcestershire (Wilson Associates Garden Design) most recently winning a coveted gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2017.

He started his show garden career by designing and building his first show garden to support the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund in 2014 winning an RHS silver medal.

Martyn joined the RAF in 1988 with tours at RAF Brize Norton, RAF Bruggen (Germany), RAF Odiham and detachments to the Royal Tournament, London and on NATO peacekeeping to Palermo, Sicily.

Martyn is one of four generations of his family who have served in the RAF including his grandfather and father. His brother and sister-in-law are both currently serving and are stationed at RAF Brize Norton.

So as you might imagine these celebrations are of great personal significance to Martyn and his family.

Martyn's grandfather serving in World War 2.

His father also served joining as a boy apprentice.

Martyn serving at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

How you can help us seize this opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for you or your company to publically show your support to RAF veterans and serving personnel by sponsoring the permanent Royal Air Force Centenary Garden at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival in May 2018.

We have already received generous offers of support to help create this tribute. But we still need additional funds to help create this garden.

With your help we can reach this target. Perhaps you, your relative or friend served in the Royal Air Force.

Perhaps you are an aircraft enthusiast.Perhaps you or your business works closely with the RAF. Or would you like to help recognise the debt we owe to the Royal Air Force.

Please donate to this fund to help us create this RAF100 Centenary Garden as a permanent and fitting tribute to the RAF at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2018.

We are offering you a number of great opportunities to be involved but hurry they are limited!

For a donation of just £20 you can have your name added to the show garden leaflet/plant list and be listed as a contributor.

For a donation of just £60 you can receive a commemorative booklet of the RAF100 Centenary Garden design, build and the show.

The first 200 donations of £100 will have their initials and surname included on Corten steel feature panels on the garden. These panels will be added as permanent feature when the show ends and remain on the garden permanently.

Perhaps you would like to remember a relative or friend who served in the RAF. Or how about as a great present to a loved one.

Business donations

With your help we can reach the target required to create this fabulous garden. Any donation from £500 - £5,000 (headline Sponsor) will be greatly received and will automatically benefit from a range of promotion opportunities that may include the following:

We can offer the following benefits to sponsors/supporters:

Inclusion in of sponsors details/title or logo in press releases Nationally and Regionally.

Opportunity for potential coverage on BBC 2 Gardeners World, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Hereford and Worcs radio and others.

Promotion on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Sponsors logo (headline Sponsor) laser cut into panels to be placed permanently on the show garden.

Sponsors (donations over £2K) details and logo on board to the front of the garden next to medal award.

Inclusion of sponsor in RHS Malvern Spring Festival show brochure (approx. 20,000)

Exposure to public footfall of approximately 100,000 people at RHS Malvern Spring Show.

Additional exposure/footfall to further Three Counties events including the Three Counties Agricultural Show 80,000-90,000 and the RHS Malvern Autumn Show 80,000 and many others.

Inclusion within show garden specific literature including 2,000 leaflets/plant lists

Attendance to the show and invite onto the garden for press shoots and VIP events.

Promotion via the RHS/Three Counties PR teams.

Every pledge of support will be greatly appreciated, whatever its size, but additionally there are other ways that you can help us to reach our target:

How else can you help us?

Every pledge appreciated, whatever its size, but additionally there are other ways that you can help us to reach our target.

•Your recommendation - If you like this project, please tell your friends, family and colleagues about us. If you can tell just one or two people you know it will help us get our project out to many more people than we could ever reach just by ourselves.

•Sharing our message on social media - By sharing and recommending our project to your friends, followers & contacts you can help to boost the number of people our project reaches.

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