Chilstone has donated an original handmade planter to feature in the courtyard garden of Ruben House, a new Centrepoint independent living facility in southeast London.
The handmade planter has been engraved to commemorate the centres opening by charity patron, HRH Prince William.
The opening of Ruben House comes after the Centrepoint show garden appeared at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, designed by Cleve West – the winner of seven RHS Gold medals to date – with a sapling from the award-winning garden being re-potted into the commemorative planter.
The planter, an original large Kent Bowl, was engraved and inlaid with gold paint by onsite engraver, Nigel Hartfield.
Chilstone general manager, Steve Clark. Press: Rebekah Kennington / Centrepoint
How did Chilstone became involved in the project?
In 2019, Chilstone provided work experience to a group of young people from Centrepoint to work at the company’s RHS Chelsea trade stand.
Impressed by Danny and Antonio, two of the young people involved in the work experience, Chilstone general manager, Steve Clark stayed in contact with the charity, intending to offer more work experience the following year, but the pandemic hit, cancelling Chelsea for the first time since World War II.
Come 2021, Clark reached out again with another idea to help. He connected Centrepoint to Project Giving Back, resulting in them receiving the funding for a show garden on the coveted Main Avenue of Chelsea.
Steve Clark with Antonio. Press: Rebekah Kennington / Centrepoint
Chilstone’s royal history
This is not Chilstone’s first encounter with royalty, having supplied Kensington Palace with bespoke planters as part of the garden’s redesigns in memoriam of Princess Diana.
The fine stone makers also restored the Golden Staircase at Hever Castle, home of Anne Boleyn.
70 years in the stone making
Chilstone celebrates its 70th birthday this year; in that time the company has been accredited with multiple RHS Chelsea Flower Show awards and has created ornaments for high profile gardens around the world.
To commemorate the occasion, Chilstone has released a Coronation Sundial, designed by Matt Spicer, featuring an engraved face to stand the test of time.
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