Sparsholt College staff and students and partner Wadworth brewery are celebrating the news this morning that once again the College has won a Gold medal and Best Discovery Exhibit at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015. The Hop Cycle, designed and built by Horticulture students, tells the historic story of the hop, the many uses and properties of the hop and the pressures over time which has reduced their range and availability.

Lecturer Chris Bird, who led the student team said: “RHS Chelsea is this country’s most prestigious flower show so for our students to come here and win both a Gold medal and Best Discovery Exhibit is an incredible achievement. They have had to work incredibly hard for the honour but their huge efforts have reaped them the ultimate prize. As Horticulturalists embarking on their professional career there can be no greater stepping stone than RHS Chelsea Gold! We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Wadworth this year, seeing how one of the country’s most popular leisure pursuits starts life in our world of horticulture.”

The Hop Cycle, created by a team of 13 Horticulture students, features two garden areas: one planted with species that make or flavour drinks and the other a pub garden to relax and enjoy in. With the historic brewer Wadworth as partner, the garden includes many features associated with the company from a penny farthing inspired by founder Henry Wadworth, to original beer barrels and traditional hand pumps. The magnificent hand painted ‘The Hop Cycle’ pub sign was based on a concept by student Brian Farr and the willow-woven hare riding the penny farthing was created by student Philip Scott.

Sparsholt College Hampshire has a long history of Chelsea medal success achieving six Gold medals, three Silver-gilt medals, four Silver medals and three Bronze medals since 1998.

Find out more about our The Hop Cycle garden

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