University of Gloucestershire Students Win Gold at Malvern Autumn Show

14th October 2013

Landscape Architecture students Jake Poloni and Steve Mann have struck gold at the Malvern Autumn Show with their garden inspired by Rockford, Illinois.

Their edible garden won an RHS Gold award and was also named Best in Show. The 15 by 15 foot garden was sponsored by Rockford, Illinois, The Three Counties Showground and The University of Gloucestershire.

Known as the city of gardens, the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (RACVB) was at the centre of a competition for the university's students to create an edible garden inspired by Rockford.

The prize was to stage the garden at the show, and Jake and Steve's winning entry took its inspiration from the striking difference in the layout of countryside around Rockford to that of Gloucestershire.

Jake, from Kemerton, and Steve, from Ruardean, were supported by Subject Group Leader-Art Bill Burford and senior lecturer Allan Mitchell.

"We are absolutely thrilled with their achievement," said Bill. "This is wonderful news and very well deserved."