Back in 2024 we were approached by Marc and Darryl from F.B & Sons Lawns & Landscapes, about being involved with an exciting garden design which was going to be shown at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival.

The news then got even better when we found out they were going to be selected to showcase their garden at the prestigious RHS Malvern Spring Festival in May 2025!

Shortly after, ‘St Godwald’s Retreat’ was born.

The garden has been designed as a mindful retreat, offering a space for solace, reflection, and a connection to the past and present. It was inspired by the landscapes surrounding Primrose Hospice and the historic life of St Godwald.

Join us for our official opening at Primrose Hospice (B60 3BW) on Saturday 12th October 2025, 2-4pm. 

The RHS Spring Festival was a huge success with F.B & Sons, Lawns & Landscapes coming away with a well-deserved Bronze Medal awarded for their garden. We are so pleased to say the garden has been very kindly gifted to Primrose Hospice for patients and families to use for many years to come.

Listen to Marc and Darryl from F.B & Sons Lawns & Landscapes talking at the Malvern Spring Festival about ‘St Godwald’s Retreat:

We sat down with Marc who designed the garden, to find out more about his passion for the outdoors and the future of ‘St Godwald’s Retreat’.

What did you enjoy most about the RHS Spring Festival?

We loved seeing people’s reactions to the garden. We had so many people respond to the meanings in the garden, particularly the Wind Phone; many people shared their own personal stories, which was quite unexpected for us. We heard from lots of people who were inspired to try growing some of the flowers in their own garden.

What was your inspiration behind the garden?

The garden is centred around two main features: the Memory Tree and Reflection Lodge containing a Wind Phone. The Lodge is a quiet, comforting space where people can sit and remember loved ones who have died, or use the Wind Phone to share words or memories.

The Memory Tree from the Hospice gardens is a beautiful reminder of our loved ones. It was particularly poignant to see the sunlight catch the metal leaves and ‘dance’ around the garden. The garden overall is a space of reflection, connecting us with the memories of lost loved ones and also allowing us to be in the ‘present’.

What made you want to support Primrose Hospice?

We have first-hand experience of the incredible care hospices provide; my Dad was looked after in a hospice for his final three months with us. We valued the peace provided by the hospice gardens, so wanted to create a space for Primrose Hospice that could be used and be of benefit to patients and families experiencing bereavement.

We moved to Bromsgrove in January 2024, so Primrose became our local Hospice. We met and spoke with lots of people who had direct experience of the care provided by Primrose.

How do you think having ‘St Godwald’s Retreat’ will help our patients and families?

We hope the garden will become a space of peace and reflection for patients, families and children of all ages. The garden is designed to have different areas that can be explored and used, with flowers that are scented or with colourful foliage.

The gardens at Primrose Hospice are already special and beautiful, but we hope this addition will create another layer to the garden. We hope the Wind Phone and Reflection Lodge will allow people to grieve and remember their loved ones in a special space.

Which part of the garden are you most looking forward to sharing with the public?

It’s difficult to just pick one, but I think the Reflection Lodge will leave a lasting impression. When the oak door is closed, you sit down and lift the Wind Phone receiver – the outside world seems to disappear and you’re just at one with your thoughts and memories.

As we mentioned earlier ‘St Godwald’s Retreat’ is being donated to Primrose Hospice and will find its forever home in Autumn 2025. We spoke to Angélique Dalton, Chief Operating Officer at Primrose Hospice who was involved with the project:

“We are so privileged to have worked with F.B & Sons Lawns & Landscapes on the RHS Malvern Festival project. I was bursting with pride at the festival, both in terms of promoting the invaluable work of the hospice and championing the stunning work of Marc, Darryl & the F.B & Sons team to such a wide audience.

The garden being installed back here at the Hospice will enable so many patients, families and visitors to enjoy and benefit from the beautiful space. The wind phone is such a special part of the garden and will enable people to speak to their loved ones, with their words travelling softly through the breeze. We hope so many of you will want to come and experience this for yourselves.”

If you’ve got any questions about the garden, please contact Angelique Dalton: 01527 871051

*information correct as of August 2025.