The road to compensation
If you’ve ever felt like your commute was a total L, imagine having it drag on for three years. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) just secured £2.3m from the government after massive roadworks on the A3 and M25 turned the area around their flagship Wisley garden into a literal parking lot.
Director general Clare Matterson confirmed the charity estimated a £13m loss during that time, with visitor numbers dropping by 350,000 annually. The campaign for repayment was led by TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh. While Matterson admitted the process was “exhausting” and she would have pushed for more cash, she’s taking the W and moving on.
The Chelsea 'woke' debate
There’s been some chatter lately that the iconic Chelsea Flower Show is becoming a bit too “woke” with its focus on eco-friendly themes. Matterson isn’t buying it. She called the show the “Olympics of the horticultural world” and noted that it’s actually doing great, with tickets selling out 10 days before opening. “People, I guess, complain about anything popular, don’t they,” she told the Guardian. Real talk: the show remains the charity’s biggest fundraiser, so it’s staying exactly where it is.
Planting seeds for the future
Looking ahead, Matterson is lowkey obsessed with a community gardening revolution. With about 13 million people saying they want to get involved but struggling to find land, the RHS is pushing local authorities to open up unused spaces for residents to grow their own veg and flowers.
She’s also hopeful that Prime Minister Andy Burnham will champion the cause, noting his past love for RHS Garden Bridgewater. Beyond community plots, the charity is working to get more gardens into NHS hospitals to help with staff retention and patient morale. Matterson is also trying to ditch the “elitist” vibes of the past, with plans for an urban show in Bristol that focuses on small-space gardening.
Why it matters
Gardening is more than just a hobby—the RHS points out that the total surface area of UK gardens dwarfs all of the nation’s nature reserves combined. By integrating horticulture into public health and local communities, Matterson believes they can create massive benefits for wellbeing without needing a massive investment. It’s giving main character energy for the planet.
