Emmaus Uprising of Kindness Garden
The Emmaus 'Uprising of Kindness' Garden
“This very evening, in every town in France, in every area of Paris, a house must be opened providing mattresses or straw to sleep on, blankets and soup to warm those who are dying of cold. A light should hang over the door with a notice stating: Friendly Feeding Centre: whoever you are, if you need hope come here to eat, rest, find hope. There is a welcome here for you.”
Abbé Pierre, Founder of the Emmaus Movement
This quotation from Abbé Pierre was the inspiration for garden designer, Bill Butterworth, who approached Emmaus with his design for the ‘Uprising of Kindness’ Garden for Hampton Court Flower Show. Bill's aim was not just to create a beautiful show garden but to create something that could then be transferred to an Emmaus Community to benefit the Companions.
The garden itself represents the rapid spread of the charity during the severe winter of 1954, when its founder Abbé Pierre broadcast a radio appeal to the French public for donations. The overwhelming response was described by Le Figaro as ‘an Uprising of Kindness’. People from all over Paris and across France donated blankets, food and clothing to help all those struggling to survive on the streets or in inadequate accommodation.
Although the Emmaus Movement started in 1949, Abbé Pierre's impassioned radio broadcast in 1954 was a turning point for the Movement and led to the creation of many more Emmaus Communities throughout France and then beyond.
There are now Emmaus projects in 36 countries around the world. Visit the Emmaus International website to find out more.
The central water feature holds 19 frothing and foaming stacks of plates, each stack representing one of the 19 Emmaus Communities here in the UK. Other plates and ceramics were used to make the mosaic path all of which came from Emmaus Cambridge.
The planting in this decorative garden was carefully selected for its edible value, its symbolic reference to the mission statement of the charity, and for the visual effect in simulating the feel of a typical French orchard. Plants used include delphiniums, salvias, lavenders and herbs such as oregano and thyme, as well as large olive trees to help give the garden structure.
Follow this link to see the full planting list for the garden.
With the support of Companions and volunteers from Emmaus Cambridge, together with students from West Anglia College, Bill’s vision became a reality. The result was a stunning garden, which was the worthy winner of a Silver medal at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Festival in July.
Hundreds of visitors saw the garden during the show and had the opportunity to chat at first hand with Emmaus Companions and volunteers who were on hand to talk more about Emmaus and our work.
Emmaus UK’s patron, The Duchess of Cornwall paid a visit to the garden during the show, where she met designer Bill Butterworth, as well as Emmaus Companions and volunteers. Companion Ian, who chatted with Her Royal Highness, said 'She was very pleased with the garden and said she would like it for herself. It means a lot to have her come down.'
The garden will now be planted up at Emmaus Cambridge with the ongoing support from the students at West Anglia College.
