PATIENTS, their families and staff at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice, which is run by Cornwall Hospice Care in St Austell, are enjoying the Fontana Tranquillity Garden.

The garden won recognition as a feature at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live event in Birmingham last year but is now to be found in the grounds of the hospice.

The garden was first designed by 92-year-old Derek Bishop, from Tywardreath, and Kim Parish, of Landscapes of Distinction at Mitchell, for the Birmingham show, winning a silver merit. It has since been gifted by Derek to the hospice.

Derek who owns the Fontana Garden at Trenython unveiled a plaque in the relocated garden to declare it open.

He said: “We had the idea of donating it to the hospice where it will now provide a place to find peace, comfort and calm for patients, their carers, families and friends, the staff and volunteers.”

At the centre of the garden, which has been redesigned by Kim, is a replica of the tree house that features in Derek’s own garden.

Kim, who felt the design should reflect the diversity of Cornwall’s gardens, is passionate about the power of nature, and the support and comfort it can provide at a difficult time.