Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) Reflection and Remembrance Garden, which won the prestigious ‘Best in Show’ award at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show earlier this year, has now been officially unveiled at its new permanent location in Roundhay Park’s Specialist Gardens, Leeds.
The garden, designed by York-based landscape architect Kate Smithson, features a striking yellow metal pergola, inspired by the rotor blades of the Air Ambulance, surrounded by soft planting and a calming reflective pool. Its new home, next to a large sycamore tree – renowned for its helicopter seeds – offers a perfect connection to the Air Ambulance’s life-saving work across the region.
The official ribbon-cutting was an intimate event attended by YAA’s lifesaving crew, head office and fundraising staff, the talented garden team behind its design and construction, key sponsors who made the project possible, and representatives from Leeds City Council.
Speaking at the event, Regional Fundraising Manager Tessa Klemz, who has led the garden project over the past ten months, said, “Roundhay Park is such a beautiful, central location that is freely accessible to everyone. We hope that people will come here to take a moment to reflect and remember, whether they have a personal connection to Yorkshire Air Ambulance or not”.
The Reflection and Remembrance Garden was made possible through generous sponsorship from several organisations, including Redmayne Bentley, The North of England Horticultural Society, Woods of Harrogate, The Arnold Burton Charitable Trust, RB Gray Charitable Trust, Ilkley Charitable Trust, and The Peacock (Leeds) Trust. The project was delivered at no cost to the charity, allowing YAA to continue focusing its resources on its life-saving operations.
Reflecting on her design, Kate Smithson said, “I designed the garden to create a peaceful and reflective atmosphere. The pergola, curved benches, central pool, and soft plantings are all intended to provide a space where people can take a moment to pause and remember”.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Executive Member for Climate, Energy, Environment, and Green Spaces at Leeds City Council, joined YAA Chairman Mike Harrop to officially cut the yellow ribbon attached to the garden’s pergola, declaring the Reflection and Remembrance Garden open to the public.
During the event, YAA volunteers Tracy Gregory and Scott Housley shared deeply personal speeches, highlighting the impact of the emergency response charity’s work. Tracy, who lost her partner in a tragic motorbike accident in 2010, spoke of the solace the garden offers, hoping itprovides comfort to others who have experienced similar heartache.
Scott, who was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) nearly seven years ago following a serious fall while hiking up Ingleborough, the second-highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales, stated, “I hope this garden becomes a community hub where people can share their stories and experiences together”.
YAA is looking forward to using the garden for future fundraising and awareness events as part of its ongoing mission to serve the people of Yorkshire.
