The Garden of Reflection, designed by Marc Buirski, from 2 Forks and a Spade, featuring at BBC Gardener's World Live 2025 is destined, after the show, to be permanently located at The Piggott School in Berkshire.
The focal point of the garden is a statement iron tree with individual copper leaves. Each leaf was formed by the students and teachers at The Piggott School such as to impart a lasting fingerprint on the garden which will last in their school for generations.
The tree itself if made from iron sections each heated, hammered and formed before being welded together to make the trunk, branches and twigs of the tree. Aidan, from Anvil Metalworks, said "It was a pleasure to highlight the versatility of iron, a material many people think of as rigid and geometric, bringing it to life in such an organic form".
The 800 copper leaves for the tree were supplied and fitted by Copper and Green, each one individually cut and wired before being fitted to the tree. Paul Selley, owner of Copper and Green says, "The combination of the two metals, copper and iron, work incredibly well together. Each will age in a different way as the tree establishes itself in the garden. An unexpected aspect of the project, aside from the super visual appearance, is the noise that is made by the tree in the wind, the copper leaves interact with each other and the branches of the tree to generate a unique tinkling sound".
Marc, owner of 2 Forks and a Spade says "The garden is designed to actively involve pupils in the creation and upkeep of the space, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. By allowing students to plant flowers and care for the space, they become directly connected to the environment, which in turn promotes a sense of pride and accomplishment. The process of nurturing plants offers a calming, therapeutic experience, helping reduce stress and anxiety."
The garden serves as a powerful tool for mental well-being, providing a quiet space for pupils to retreat and reflect. Whether they use the space for solitary contemplation, group discussions, or mindfulness activities, the garden offers an escape from the pressures of daily life. It can also be used to teach students about the positive effects of nature on mental health, encouraging healthier emotional responses and promoting emotional resilience.
The garden fosters a supportive, peaceful environment for personal growth.