Chelsea Award Winning Garden

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Hilton based garden designer Angela Potter and her business partner Ann Robinson who together form English Eden, were awarded a bronze medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show recently for their garden Ratty's Refuge which was entered in the small garden category. The garden's main sponsors were the River and Rowing Museum at Henley on Thames, Water In The South East and British Wildflower Plant Nursery. The garden was built by a local landscape contractor, Richard Delahaye of Heritage Landscapes from Fenstanton.

Ratty's Refuge was inspired by Angela's involvement in helping to develop good water vole habitat along Hilton's water courses while serving on the Parish Council. Sympathetic bank management routines mean that Hilton's waterways continue to support a population of water voles - which are now Britain's most endangered mammals. Angela and Ann worked in consulation with Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust, who supported their project, and are trying to encourage people to help water voles.

2008, the centenary of the publication of 'The Wind In The Willows' seemed the ideal time to raise awareness of the plight of the water vole and to encourage gardeners to to their bit to help. A garden close to a water course capable of supporting water voles, could provide a refuge from predators if it contains a pond and native planting and has an open boundary so water voles can enter. Gardens are becoming more and more valuable as habitats for wildlife as land is under ever increasing pressure from development.

If anyone is interested in finding out more about how their garden might help water voles, tips for making a water vole-friendly garden can be found at www.rattysrefuge.co.uk.