Dersingham business helps Girlguiding Anglia with garden feature for RHS Sandringham Flower Show
I meet Jack Thompson at the family's workshop on Sandringham Estate. And although beds are what he's used to making, Jack's recently been busy constructing a 'promise' bench, that will take centre stage at the Girl Guides' show garden.
"The design came from the Girl Guides, they had this concept of an 's' shaped bench, which they wanted to put as a main feature in the garden," Jack tells me.
Jack, from Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co, who is making the bench
"We came up with an internal frame, which will be rendered with a sheet profile, which is presented with the Girl Guiding promise," he adds.
"This is the metal structure of the bench, the seats themselves will have a wooden top." The company's also making a weather vane and giving a donation.
The 80m² feature garden, titled the 'Girlguiding Journey', has been put together alongside Norfolk garden designer Dominique Rudd.
The design’s based around badges, such as biodiversity, and for months now groups across the region have been busy making everything from willow obelisks to bee hotels.
Girl Guide Jessica helping to make a willow obelisk
Recently I chatted to a few of the Girl Guides in Snettisham about the show.
Emily told me she was, “A little bit excited because the King’s going to be there. Me and my friend have done some gardening in her garden before, but it’s quite new to me to be honest.”
And 11 year old Chery said she's a fan of gardening, “It’s fun to like explore the different flowers and different techniques.”
The Girlguiding Journey garden
Ruby Goold, division commissioner for North West Norfolk Girlguiding, is also at the workshop to see the bench, which she says is 'so special'.
I ask what it will feel like in a few weeks time, when the garden is ready for visitors.
"Overwhelming, but really proud for Girl Guiding. It's showing what we do, how we do it as a community, and how we all work together to produce something really special."
Left to right: RHS Sandringham Flower Show manager Jenny Leville, Ruby Goold, Harry Thompson and Amanda Oldfield (Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co)
A one day flower show has been held annually on the royal estate since 1884 - run by a committee of volunteers, the RHS five-day event has faced criticism, with some traders and visitors unhappy at the increased costs.
RHS show manager, Jenny Leville, tells me, "We're so honoured to be hosting a flower show in the King's back garden."
The King and Queen at a previous show
"The Sandringham Flower Show is such a traditional and well loved institution," she continues, "and nobody wants to take that away, we are just here for a year at the moment.
"This is a different show, we will have more horticultural things, we hope people give us a chance and come along."
Back to Jack and the bench.
He ends by saying it's 'been lovely' being able to support a local group. Adding, "It's taken longer than I thought, but it will be ready!"
We are rooting for you - and the Girl Guide show garden!
The show runs from the 22nd to the 26th July