Severe floods submerge British towns
Why not introduce something new, some passion, some excitement?This is what, I hope, Chelsea will let me do. Look what Philip Tracey is doing for hats, look at the vibrancy of some of the buildings in Temple Bar, the materials used Chelsea, in terms of design, is a disaster. Nearly all the gardens are stage sets, with everyone afraid to buckle the status quo.I want to design a garden that is as sleazy as a brothel, or one that has as much fun as some of Gaudi's work in Barcelona.Work in Ireland, especially, gets me down. John Travolta in Saturday Fever, eh?Apple computers are another very helpful sponsor, and in Mosney our garden will be known as the Apple Garden. By speaking into a hidden microphone, the water will start running, the lights will come on and the garden will come to life.A bit gimmicky? Maybe But why does garden design have to remain in the Dark Ages. A curved glass brick-and-stainless- steel wall is the main feature, with water pouring down the bricks, inspired by the toilets in a night-club.Glass slabs dot the perfect lawn, and these light up when stood on.
The commitment from Mosney is a huge one, they were the only Irish company willing to take on such a project and we look forward to working with them.Last year's garden was a vision of a Kerry Paradise Old rural Ireland This year is completely different. On came the TV and as the most exciting match of this year's premiership Liverpool v Newcastle drew seven goals, we ploughed on regardless.The following day the deal was signed and so the garden will go from Chelsea to county Meath in early June. Talking was fast and furious and no one noticed that we had in fact situated ourselves under the bar's big television screen. These took place in Dublin's Burlington Hotel.Six of us, three from each side, sat around a table at a secluded corner of the bar.
Bord Glas, the horticultural board who were one of our main sponsors last year, said that they would be helping our journey again And then we met Feilim McCloskey from Mosney Holiday Centre. He sat down and listened to myself and Vincent tell the story of last year. Talks began, firstly over weeks, then over months.Our idea was to bring the garden to Chelsea, then to transfer it to Mosney in county Meath for three months.Well, protracted negotiations over a few months ended up in Dayton-style peace talks. I rang people, then went to see them or sat at their reception desks armed with newspaper cuttings.