Macmillan Legacy Garden for RHS Tatton

A unique garden representing the importance of gifts left in wills to help people living with cancer – commissioned by Macmillan Cancer Support – will be exhibited at this year’s RHS Tatton Show, (21st to 25th July 2021).

Yorkshire-based garden designer, Rob Hardy, has created the design for the Macmillan Legacy Garden and will be joined by award-winning landscaper Peter Gregory and up to 10 volunteers who will help build the garden at the show.

The design incorporates a twisting pathway through the centre and across a reflective pool, which will symbolically illustrate how Macmillan provides support through the often confusing and painful journey of a cancer diagnosis.

Three large sculptural monoliths will represent how one third of Macmillan’s income comes from gifts and wills. While planting and surfaces will initially be sharp, jagged, dark and brooking, the design eventually becomes much more vibrant and then calming around the seating area. A ‘Legacy Tree’ will encourage visitors to hang written messages within its branches.

Rob, (pictured left) from Leeds, has lost family and friends to cancer and points out what a fantastic cause Macmillan is: “I know first-hand the terrific support they provide to people when they need it most. It’s been a privilege to design their garden and, more importantly, hopefully raise awareness of Macmillan and encourage more people to consider leaving a gift in their will to the charity,” he says.

“Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be one of the hardest things people might face. But through this garden I wanted to show how Macmillan Cancer Support is on hand to provide vital emotional, practical and financial help, and how important gifts in wills are to help Macmillan continue supporting people living with cancer,” adds Rob.

Rhea Taylor, Macmillan’s Gifts in Wills Officer, added: “One in two people will get cancer in their lifetime, so Macmillan’s many services are needed now more than ever. We hope his beautiful garden will inspire visitors to consider creating their own lasting legacy with a gift in their will to Macmillan to help us do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.”

For more information on how you can leave a gift ion your will to Macmillan Cancer Support please visit: www.macmillan.org.uk/donate/gifts-in-wills

Images: ©Macmillan/Rob Hardy