Ruskin To-Day is an informal organisation that exists to celebrate the life and ideas of the artist, critic and social reformer John Ruskin (1819-1900). It brings together the activities of the many different societies, academic institutions and individuals who share an interest in Ruskin and in the many different aspects of his work. This website serves as a noticeboard to draw attention to the many Ruskinian events that take place across the world.
Ruskin’s Lakeside Wisteria wins a Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show
A collection of wisteria from Ruskin’s lakeside home in Coniston, Cumbria has won a gold medal at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Brantwood’s Plant Heritage National Plant Collection of Wisteria (Dispersed) species and cultivars is a partnership with Cumbria Wisteria and challenges the traditional image of wisteria as a plant for warmer climes. Brantwood’s exhibition combines the rugged beauty of the Lake District fells with the allure of wisteria growing amongst the rocks, ferns and moss typical of Cumbria. This is the theme for the exhibition and all its associated materials from the moss to the stone walls are sourced from Brantwood.
Evidently a first for Chelsea as well as a first for Brantwood, this exhibition marks a bold statement for horticulture in the Northwest of England. It highlights the diverse range of wisteria species and cultivars that succeed in an environment that is wild and un-predictable. Wisteria is frequently trained against South-facing stone walls or grown over huge arches and other formal structures which allows for their cascading habit to be admired. However, Brantwood does things a little differently, and shows that these elegant climbers are more than a match for the Lakeland fells.
The Chelsea Flower Show is the most prestigious event on the horticultural calendar and the exposure for Brantwood and the local area of Coniston will be significant. It is expected that the show will put the Lake District first and foremost on the regional tourism map. Brantwood hopes to inspire anyone who gardens in the Northwest to push the boundaries of what can be grown and achieved no matter the size of their plot and continue Ruskin’s legacy of experimental radical gardening.
The Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show runs from 19 to 23 May.
Brantwood is open daily to the public – House and gardens £16.50, students £13.75, under 16s free. £1 discount with gondola/Coniston launch ticket. Pay once, visit all year.
“All Great Art is Praise”
A celebration in words and music of the 200th Birthday of John Ruskin, 1819-1900
Readers:
Michael Palin and Dan Draper
Tenor:
Richard Edgar-Wilson
Coull Quartet:
Roger Coull (violin)
Philip Gallaway (violin)
Jonathan Barritt (viola)
Nicholas Roberts (cello)
Composer, and realiser of Ruskin’s words:
Sarah Rodgers
Visuals devised by Gavin Mackinnon-Little
Performance devised and directed by Robert Hewison
The evening at the Royal Academy was recorded on 8 February 2019
It is introduced by Rebecca Salter, now President of the Royal Academy
A recording of Sarah Rodgers’ “The King of the Golden River”, with Richard Edgar-Wilson and the Coull Quartet, is available at Sarah Rodgers, “Music for Tenor and String Quartet” SOMMCD 222
