A WARRINGTON prison has been awarded a prestigious gardening trophy.
The RHS and Prison Service have unveiled HMP Thorn Cross as the winner of this year’s Windlesham Trophy.
The trophy is given to a prison garden in England and Wales each year for its outstanding horticulture and promotes the benefits of green, outdoor spaces on wellbeing and rehabilitation rates.
Thorn Cross impressed the judges with the exceptional quality of their planting in a variety of gardens, including Japanese and Mediterranean-inspired areas, formal gardens and a large wildlife-friendly patch.
As well as this, a ‘Rehabilitation River’ display at Thorn Cross represents the journey of an offender, giving a message of hope and the opportunity for a brighter future.
The pebbles take the course of a river, flowing through plants such as irises and primula, chosen for their diverse colour and height.
Prisoners are encouraged to be creative with their choice of plants and the judges particularly liked the Sub-Mediterranean display of palms and perennial lilies which bring…
