Meet Marc and Darryl
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.
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.
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.
More on that later, but for now, 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 andremember 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.
At Primrose Hospice, our groups love spending time outside in the great outdoors.
One of our groups called ‘Explorations’ offers a safe space for children when a family member has a life-limiting illness or when someone special has died.
Marc and Darryl from F.B & Sons visited the group earlier in the year where the children enjoyed helping to plant ‘St Godwald’s Retreat’.
“I like coming to Primrose because I can make new friends and express my feelings.” – Emma, one of the children we support.
“Understandably when we first meet children here at the hospice they are a little nervous and unsure about what this new place will be like. However, they soon seem to relax and see that the laughter nearly always outweighs the tears.
We enjoy seeing them grow in confidence as they realise that they aren’t on their own during challenging times and that they will be welcomed on their worst and best days.” Louise – Children’s Team Volunteer.
As we mentioned earlier ‘St Godwald’s Retreat’ is being donated to Primrose Hospice and will find its forever home in Autumn 2025. Join us for the official opening of ‘St Godwald’s Retreat’ on Sunday 12th October, 2-4pm.
