St Godwald's Retreat
An RHS Malvern Spring Festival Show Garden 2025
Designed and built by F.B & Sons for Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre
A Sanctuary of reflection and connection
F.B. & Sons is honoured to present St Godwald’s Retreat at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, a garden created in support of Primrose Hospice. Designed as a mindful retreat, this space offers solace, reflection, and a deep connection to the past and present, inspired by the landscapes surrounding the Hospice and the historic life of St Godwald.
At the heart of the garden sits a handcrafted wattle and daub gazebo, an ancient building technique brought to life with lime-hemp render, organic pigments, and natural materials. Within this space rests the wind telephone—a simple yet profound symbol of remembrance.
"Connected to nowhere and everywhere, it offers a moment to speak to lost loved ones, to share unspoken words, and to let the wind carry them beyond the stone portal." Marc Harbourne-Bessant, Designer
The journey through the garden leads past a memory tree, bearing the names and stories of those cherished and remembered. A mindful labyrinth, traced in scented herbs, invites visitors to slow down and reflect. Beyond lies a wildflower glade—a place to pause, meditate, or simply be, surrounded by the gentle hum of nature. Textured standing stones, inspired by the ancient landscapes of Brittany, punctuate the space, grounding the garden in a deeper history.
Sustainability is woven into every element of St Godwald’s Retreat. Reclaimed stone, UK-grown timber, and repurposed materials reduce the garden’s carbon footprint, while pathways of crushed whelk shells—a fishing by-product—highlight the beauty of thoughtful reuse. The planting is rooted in native species, chosen for their resilience, medicinal history, and role in supporting biodiversity.
More than a show garden, St Godwald’s Retreat is a space for conversation—about grief, hospice care, and the power of nature in healing. After RHS Malvern, the entire garden will be relocated to the Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove, where it will continue to offer comfort and connection to patients, families, and friends.
Click the RHS image below to visit the RHS website page for the our show garden
and for more details on the RHS Malvern Spring Festival
Join us at RHS Malvern and experience St Godwald’s Retreat—a garden that embraces the past, supports the present, and looks to the future with care and sustainability.
Why Primrose Hospice?
At F.B. & Sons, we believe in creating gardens that not only bring beauty but also offer comfort, connection, and a sense of peace. That’s why we are proud to support Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre, an independent charity that provides vital care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses and families across North East Worcestershire.
Hospice care goes beyond medical treatment—it offers dignity, compassion, and a safe space for people to navigate one of life’s most challenging journeys. Primrose Hospice provides free specialist care, emotional support, and bereavement services, ensuring that no one faces illness or loss alone.
We chose to partner with Primrose Hospice because their work is built on the same values we hold dear—community, care, and the healing power of nature. After RHS Malvern, St Godwald’s Retreat will become a permanent feature in the hospice garden, offering a sanctuary for patients, families, and staff to find comfort, reflect, and remember.
By supporting this garden, we hope to raise awareness of the incredible work Primrose Hospice does and encourage conversations around hospice care, bereavement, and the importance of creating spaces that nurture both body and soul.
About the Designer
Marc Harbourne-Bessant
Marc Harbourne-Bessant, designer of St Godwald’s Retreat, a director at F.B. & Sons, a company built on family values, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the environment. With a passion for creating gardens that tell a story, Marc’s designs focus on sustainability, traditional skills, and materials that carry history within them.
The inspiration behind St Godwald’s Retreat is deeply personal. Marc has experienced first-hand the incredible care and support that hospices provide—his father was a hospice service user, and through that journey, Marc saw the vital role these spaces play for patients and their families.
A hospice is more than a place of care; it is a space for comfort, dignity, and reflection. Designing this garden for Primrose Hospice is Marc’s way of giving back, creating a lasting sanctuary for others who need that same support.
Marc has chosen to honour the past in both theme and construction, using ancient crafting techniques and reclaimed materials to shape the garden. The wattle and daub gazebo, hand-built with lime-hemp render, reflects time-honoured building methods that still hold relevance today. Every piece of stone in the garden is reclaimed, reducing the environmental footprint while giving new life to materials with their own stories to tell. Even the pathways, formed with crushed whelk shells—a fishing by-product—demonstrate how sustainable choices can shape a thoughtful, environmentally conscious design.
For Marc, St Godwald’s Retreat is more than a show garden; it’s a tribute—to his father, to the work of hospices, and to the enduring value of traditional skills and sustainable craftsmanship. After RHS Malvern, the garden’s relocation to Primrose Hospice will ensure that its purpose continues, offering peace and reflection to those who need it most.
About St Godwald’s Retreat
St Godwald’s Retreat is a garden designed as a space for reflection, remembrance, and mindful retreat. Inspired by the landscape surrounding Primrose Hospice, as well as the life and history of St Godwald, the garden transports visitors to a place removed from modern distractions—a sanctuary shaped by nature, tradition, and memory.
At the heart of the design are ancient crafting techniques and reclaimed materials, echoing a time when gardens were built with what was available locally, with minimal impact on the land. The wattle and daub gazebo, standing stones, and traditional chestnut fencing connect the garden to the past, while the labyrinth and wildflower glade encourage quiet contemplation.
A key feature of the garden is the wind telephone, offering a space to speak to those we have lost, carried by the wind through the moon arch into the world beyond. The memory tree, temporarily relocated from Primrose Hospice, holds the names and stories of loved ones, grounding the garden in its purpose—to provide a place for people to process grief, honour memories, and find comfort in the presence of nature.
Every element of St Godwald’s Retreat has been chosen with care, balancing environmental responsibility with a deep sense of history and meaning. Explore the sections below to learn more about the unique materials and features that bring this garden to life.
Why St Godwald?
We selected St. Godwald as the inspiration for our show garden due to his unique historical connection to Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, and Primrose Hospice. St. Godwald, a 6th-century Breton monk, is honored at St. Godwald's Church in Finstall, Bromsgrove—the only church in England dedicated to him. His legacy is also intertwined with St. Dunstan, who served as Bishop of Worcester from 957 to 959 before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury. St. Dunstan is believed to have founded the Chapel of St. Gudwal in Worcester during the 950s, suggesting a direct connection between these two saints. This historical link highlights a shared commitment to faith, healing, and community—values that remain deeply relevant today.
In designing our show garden, we have also drawn inspiration from the standing stones characteristic of the Breton landscape in France, reflecting the environment St. Godwald would have known. These ancient stone formations symbolize endurance and sanctuary, qualities that resonate with the mission of Primrose Hospice. His legacy of community, healing, and sanctuary aligns perfectly with the hospice's mission to support individuals and families facing life-limiting illnesses, making this garden not only a tribute to St. Godwald but also a space of reflection and peace for all.
Exploring St Godwald’s Retreat
St Godwald’s Retreat Sponsors & Patrons
Logo | Sponsor name | Donation | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
Readyhedge | Very kindly loaning the native mix hedging | https://readyhedgeltd.com/ | |
Marc & Darryl Harbourne-Bessant Copy | Purchased the Wind telephone - an antique from 1959 | ||
F.B & Sons, Lawns and Landscapes Limited | Purchased the Cedar shingles | http://www.fbslandscapes.co.uk | |
Marc & Darryl Harbourne-Bessant | Purchased the reclaimed Oak framed windows | ||
Tŷ-Mawr | Donated lime hemp render, lime wash and pigments | https://www.lime.org.uk/ | |
Shell On Earth | Donated all the whelk shell "gravel" used in the garden | http://www.shellonearth.co.uk |
A huge thank you to our generous sponsors and patrons whose support is making St Godwald’s Retreat a reality. Through their donations of funds, materials, and services, they are helping create a space of reflection and remembrance for Primrose Hospice. Their contributions will be honoured within the garden, ensuring their legacy lives on. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to this meaningful project.
St Godwald’s Retreat is a garden born from passion, dedication, and a deep sense of purpose. We invite businesses and individuals to support this meaningful project through monetary donations or by contributing products or services in kind. Your support will help bring this garden to life and ensure that its legacy of remembrance, reflection, and solace endures for years to come.
Become a Sponsor
If your business is interested in sponsoring the garden, whether through a monetary donation or by providing materials, please get in touch with us directly at RHS@fbslandscapes.co.uk. Your partnership will not only support a project that brings comfort and peace to many but will also provide your company with recognition at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival and beyond.
Become a Patron of the Reflection Lodge
We are also offering a special opportunity for individuals to become patrons of the garden’s Reflection Lodge. For a donation, you will have your name engraved on a wooden plaque inside the Reflection Lodge, becoming a permanent part of this sanctuary for reflection and remembrance. To make a donation and become a patron, simply click the button below to visit our GoFundme page and help us create a lasting legacy.
Together, we can make St Godwald’s Retreat a place of lasting impact for all who visit. Thank you for your generosity and support.
Share Your Reflections on St Godwald’s Retreat
We’d love to hear your thoughts, feelings, and experiences after visiting St Godwald’s Retreat at RHS Malvern Spring Festival. Whether it’s a moment of peace, inspiration from the garden’s design, or a connection to Primrose Hospice’s work, your reflections matter.
💬 Leave your reflection below and let us know what the garden meant to you.
📸 Have a photo from your visit? Share it with us on social media using #StGodwaldsRetreat #PrimroseHospice #WindTelephone #RHSMalvern or tag us @fbslandscapes
🌱 Your words will help the legacy of this garden continue to grow.
🌿 Share Your Reflection on Facebook, Instagram or Linkedin
Sowing Stories: Your Moments Shared
#StGodwaldsRetreat #PrimroseHospice #WindTelephone @fbslandscapes #RHSMalvern
The Legacy of St Godwald’s Retreat
St Godwald’s Retreat is more than just a show garden; it is a lasting tribute to the memory of loved ones and a reflection of the compassionate care provided by Primrose Hospice. This garden is designed not only to offer solace in the present but to create a lasting legacy for those who have found comfort within its walls.
After its unveiling at RHS Malvern, the entire garden will be relocated to Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove, where it will become a permanent sanctuary for patients, families, and staff. The garden will continue to serve as a space for reflection, remembrance, and healing, offering a peaceful environment where memories can be honoured and connections with nature can bring comfort.
In crafting this garden, we hope to inspire others to consider the impact of their surroundings on emotional well-being, and to showcase how sustainable practices and traditional craftsmanship can create timeless spaces. St Godwald’s Retreat will stand as a lasting reminder of the importance of hospice care, the beauty of nature, and the power of memory.
