COP 26 Garden @ RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Sunil Radia • 12 November 2021

The 4 stages of bringing a garden back from decline in an environmentally friendly way

With the climate crisis in mind one of the highlights of the recent RHS Chelsea Flower Show was the COP 26 garden - 4 stages to recovery.  All sources have been cited below:


https://www.itv.com/news/2021-06-19/chelsea-flower-show-to-feature-cop26-garden-with-strong-political-message

 

A Cop26 garden with a “very strong political message” on how gardening can help the environment will feature at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.  

 

The large RHS garden, designed by Balston Agius, led by Marie-Louise Agius, will feature at the world-famous show, which has made a high-profile move to the autumn for the first time ever this year due to the pandemic.

 

It means the flower show at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, will be taking place in September in the run-up to the key United Nations Cop26 climate summit being hosted by the UK and set to take place in November in Glasgow.

 

Ms Agius said climate change cannot be ignored, but everyone can play their part through horticulture – even with just a window box – and she hopes people will take home ideas from the show.

 

“We need to be proactive about addressing the issues and we hope to show the role horticulture and a sustainable approach to the design of our external spaces can have in doing this.

 

“This is not an issue for ‘others’ to deal with – we each have an individual responsibility and opportunity to contribute towards improving climate change.

 

Speaking about the Cop26 garden, she said: “It’s got a very strong political message, we want everybody in the country to listen.

 

“We do particularly want government to listen because we want to support their environment plan, we are in agreement with them, but they also need to acknowledge the power of horticulture.”

 

https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/cop26

 

The RHS COP26 Garden demonstrates how our gardens, plants and public green spaces can play a crucial role in protecting our planet and people.

 

This garden has been divided into four zones for visitors to give ideas on how to create a garden adapted to climate change. These four areas have been named as:

Decline – this shows how the environment suffers from intense building and poor plantation.

Adaptation – this shows the planting needed to adapt to high temperatures and rainfall.

Mitigation – this gives ideas that can improve local habitats and fight the effects of climate change.

Finally, the balance area shows how we can work with nature to create a beautiful environmentally-friendly garden.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment The “decline” section is only a quarter of the 20 by 20 metre Cop26 garden. The other sections look at “adaptation”, “mitigation” and “balance”, and how gardeners can be part of the solution. It has been funded by the RHS with the aim of highlighting the importance of sustainable horticulture ahead of the Cop26 climate summit to be held in Glasgow in November.

Separating decline and adaptation is a burnt hedge, symbolic of the planet’s increasingly destructive wildfires. 

The next part of the garden – mitigation – takes visitors back to a typically bucolic English scene with an exuberant wildflower meadow, little pond, and beehives. A small ditch provides places for water to settle and damp-loving plants to thrive.

The final section of the garden is balance, which incorporates vegetables, as well as long grasses and fruit trees including lime, quince and pomegranate.

 

https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2021/rhs-cop26-garden The RHS COP26 Garden contains innovative and cutting-edge elements. It also features achievable ideas that we can implement at home and in our communities. The RHS is encouraging everyone to make small changes to their own garden, and collectively those changes could make a big difference to our planet.

It’s an unconventional addition to the 108-year-old Chelsea Flower Show, but this thought-provoking creation is a warning of how dead our planet will be if we don’t change the way we manage green spaces, including over irrigating and using excessive drainage and too many chemicals.

Prof Alistair Griffiths, director of science and collections at the RHS, hopes the government will recognise and appreciate how important gardening is for climate resilience ahead of Cop26. He says: “We’re a passionate nation of gardeners. Gardening is one of a number of ways the UK general public can take action to help to mitigate against climate change.”

The latest categories to be added to RHS Chelsea are balcony gardens and container gardens, which have become more popular as people have focused on getting the most out of where they live. These pocket gardens fit in a 2 by 5 metre area and show how much can be done in a small space using pots. They are made by gardeners coming to Chelsea for the first time.

If you’re working from home spending eight or 12 hours a day working, it’s nice to put your laptop away, then go out into the air, see some green, see some birds and insects, and take that break.

The number of gardeners in the UK has grown by nearly 3 million over lockdown and now stands at 30 million. Organisers hope the pocket gardens will encourage increasing numbers of younger people on lower budgets to get into gardening.

The Chelsea flower show was cancelled last year and this year was postponed to 21-26 September from late May because of the pandemic. The Cop26 garden will go on to be incorporated into the RHS Garden Bridgewater in Greater Manchester and will be used to teach people about the climate crisis and gardening.

Coaching Spotlight: Can You Project Manage Your Own Build?

by Niket Kapur • 14 September 2025
The Temptation Many homeowners are tempted to manage their own building project. The logic seems simple: cut out the cost of a project manager and save money. You already have a builder lined up, maybe one recommended by friends or family, and you feel confident that everything will go smoothly. But while it can work, managing your own build is a serious undertaking. Without preparation, it often leads to stress, delays, and costs spiralling out of control. What Project Management Really Involves Managing a build is not just about choosing finishes or chasing invoices. It requires: Coordinating multiple trades and suppliers. Handling schedules, deliveries, and staged payments. Ensuring compliance with building regulations. Managing risks, safety, and insurances. Keeping accurate specifications, contracts, and records. Even with a good builder, these tasks can overwhelm a homeowner. The Pitfalls to Watch For (Even with a “Good Builder”) Many people believe that because their builder is: “Tried and tested,” or Recommended by friends and family, … everything will go smoothly. Unfortunately, things can still go wrong. Hard to judge quality: Finished projects can look impressive, but hidden corners may have been cut. It is difficult for a homeowner to spot these issues. Knowledge untested: We rigorously test builders’ knowledge. Many homeowners do not - and miss key warning signs. Due diligence matters: We check business history, insurances, and financial standing. This step is often skipped, leaving clients exposed. Technical gaps: Homeowners often lack expertise in dealing with party wall agreements, public liability, and specialist insurances - all of which are critical to staying compliant and protected. The Benefits of Doing It Yourself To be fair, there are reasons why some homeowners still choose to self-manage: Potential savings on professional fees. Personal satisfaction from being hands-on. Full control over decision-making. Direct relationships with trades. For some, this works well - but only when they have time, knowledge, and systems in place. Case Study: From Chaos to Control A homeowner in Harrow decided to manage their own large extension. They trusted a builder recommended by family and assumed things would run smoothly. Within months, delays mounted, trades clashed, and costs increased as “extras” piled up. We were brought in to coach them through the rest of the project. With clear payment schedules, proper contracts, and regular reviews, they regained control. Why Professional Support Pays Off At The Building Guidance Partnership, we provide coaching for homeowners who want to take charge - and full project management when required. Either way, our involvement saves clients far more than our fees. 💡 With professional project management, clients often save multiples of the project management costs through: Better build quality – avoiding mistakes and rework. Preventing inflated builder extras. Reducing timing delays that push up costs. Correctly recovering VAT and council tax where applicable. Avoiding disputes by using clear, pre-agreed specifications and contracts. Take Control - With the Right Support Self-managing a build can be rewarding - but it is not for the faint-hearted. With the right coaching, you can avoid pitfalls, protect your budget, and finish your project with confidence. Book a free 20-minute consultation with The Building Guidance Partnership today. Let us help you decide if project managing your own build is the right choice - and give you the tools to succeed.

Why Staged Payments Protect Your Project - and Your Wallet

by Niket Kapur • 14 September 2025
The Risk of Big Deposits You have found a builder, the price is agreed, and you are eager to get started. The builder then asks for a large deposit upfront. Many homeowners feel they have no choice but to pay, only to later discover delays, unfinished work, or requests for more money. Large upfront payments remove your leverage and place all the risk in your hands. If the builder walks away or progress slows, your money may already be gone. Disputes, stress, and spiralling costs often follow. Why Staged Payments Make Sense The professional approach is to use staged payments tied to progress on site. This is not about mistrusting your builder - it is about protecting both parties and ensuring the project runs smoothly. With staged payments: You keep control of cashflow. The builder has incentive to deliver each stage on time. Payments are transparent and predictable. Disputes about “extras” are reduced because each stage is defined. By contrast, a large deposit creates imbalance. You lose the ability to hold the builder accountable, and problems become harder to resolve. How to Structure Payments Properly 1. Agree milestones in advance · Foundations completed · Roof installed · First fix services complete · Plastering finished · Practical completion 2. Keep it in writing · Payment terms should be part of your written contract and specification. 3. Always hold a retention · Retain 5-10% until all snagging is completed. 4. Avoid cash · Pay by bank transfer so there is a record. 5. Challenge unreasonable demands · If a builder insists on many thousands of pounds upfront, this is a red flag. Case Study: Regaining Control A homeowner we supported in Wembley had agreed to pay almost 40% of the contract value upfront. The builder became slow to mobilise, then requested further money before completing the first stage. The client felt trapped and anxious. We stepped in, reviewed the contract, and helped renegotiate a staged payment plan tied to milestones. Work progressed more smoothly, and the homeowner avoided what could easily have become a financial disaster. “Once the staged payments were in place, we finally felt back in control. Sunil and his team gave us confidence that our money was safe and that the builder was accountable.” Why This Matters for You Payment schedules may sound like a small detail, but they are often the difference between a successful build and a costly dispute. A fair, balanced structure protects your investment, gives your builder clarity, and keeps the project moving forward. Take Action Today Do not let unclear payment terms put your project at risk. Book a free 20-minute consultation with The Building Guidance Partnership. We will review your proposed payment structure and give you confidence that your builder is working to protect your money - not put it at risk.

"Why Hoarding Saves Lives: A Lesson from Tragedy"

by Niket Kapur • 9 September 2025
On 8 June 1965, The Times reported a tragic incident in Mitcham, Surrey. A six-year-old boy was found seriously burnt after lying between a live rail and a running rail. His story reminds us, even decades later, of the dangers posed by unprotected sites and infrastructure. While this was a railway accident, the principle is the same for building sites. Construction sites are dangerous: exposed wiring, deep excavations, sharp tools, heavy machinery, and unstable structures.  To the untrained eye, especially a child’s, a site can appear as nothing more than an exciting playground. In reality, it can be deadly. Why Hoarding Matters Site hoarding - the solid fencing erected around construction sites - is not just about privacy or stopping theft. It is a frontline safety measure that: Prevents accidents by keeping children and the public away from hazards. Protects workers by creating a controlled environment. Reduces liability for owners and contractors, who are legally responsible for site safety. Maintains order by ensuring only authorised people gain entry. Enhances community relations by reducing noise, dust, and unsightly views. A Duty of Care Every property owner, contractor, developer, and project manager has a duty of care. Skimping on hoarding, leaving gaps, or delaying installation is a risk no one should take. History shows us that tragedies happen quickly when safeguards are absent. Hoarding saves lives. It is not an optional extra but an essential first step in any build. The tragic story from 1965 is a reminder that dangers are real and ever-present.