OLD oak window frames dumped in a skip inspired a young designer to follow his dream.
Callum Corrie discovered the discarded items when he was working on the renovation of Knutsford train station.
The creative 24-year-old had studied gardening and was keen to re-ignite his passion.
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“I found the oak window frames chucked in a skip last summer,” said Callum, from Mobberley.
“I thought they were amazing and was trying to think of what I could do with them.
“Then an idea popped into my head that I could get plants climbing up them.”
Callum sent his sketch to the RHS and was accepted to design a long border at this summer’s Tatton Flower Show.
Judges were bowled over by the recycling creativity in his design entitled ‘Picture Perfect’ and awarded him a coveted gold medal.
“I was dead chuffed,” said Callum, a former Mobberley Primary School pupil and Knutsford Academy student.
“It means everything to get a gold. I’m only a year into garden design.”
Callum studied at Reaseheath College and has worked as a gardener for four years.
He is now keen to develop a career in design and is currently completing a post graduate diploma.
“I have had to re-learn about all the different plants and teach myself,” said Callum, who now works part-time for Pownall Plant, as he establishes his own business, callumcorriegardendesign.com
“I’ve got the buzz again.
“I have a passion for garden design, I love it.”
Designers were challenged to introduce touch, taste, scent and sound into their borders at the show.
Callum said: “Around the old windows, a variety of colourful, pollinator-friendly plants are framed from different viewpoints through the structure.
“All five senses are considered, from the scent of the sweet peas to the gentle swish of tactile grasses that you can run your hands through and hear blowing in the breeze.”
Pink and purple flowers mingle with edible sunflowers and cherry tomatoes.
“I loved to watch it come alive,” said Callum.
“It’s crazy how many bees we had.”
His partner Becky Clay helped with the planting.
“We were getting really excited, we did it in three days,” said Callum.
“We were just so shocked to get a gold. Becky cried.
“Next year I hope to enter the Young Designer of the Year and maybe, in the future, try Chelsea Flower Show.
“My big dream is to design gardens all over the world.”
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