The First Follies:
![First Folly](https://redwoodstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-First-Folly.jpg)
In 2001 I decided, along with my colleague and good friend Steve, that we needed a Redwood Stone signature design and that a Gothic Folly would be the perfect solution. We loved it but were a little anxious about whether anyone else would get what we were up to! We got a resounding thumbs up.
#redwoodstone #firstfolly #gothicfolly #chelseaflowershow #chelseaflowershow2001 #chelseathroughtheyears #RHSVirtualChelsea #RHSHampton
![Tracery with Merit](https://redwoodstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tracery-with-Chelsea-Merit.jpg)
The Gothic Folly was a last minute decision and we didn’t even have time to make a mould for the Tracery Window head – we took the precious hand carved original to the Show. It looks like the RHS approved with the award of a Merit for Outstanding Presentation!
#chelseaflowershow #merit #rhs #gothicfolly #redwoodstone #chelseathroughtheyears #RHSVirtualChelsea #RHSHampton
![Hillier 2002 Andy](https://redwoodstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Hillier-Andy-2002-819x1024.jpg)
![Hillier 2002 Ricky](https://redwoodstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Hillier-Ricky-2002-819x1024.jpg)
Chelsea superstars Hillier Nurseries spotted the potential of our Gothic Folly and their designer Andrew McIndoe commissioned a Folly for their 2002 exhibit. A man with more than 50 Chelsea Golds under his belt, Ricky Dorlay, prepared the planting.
#rickydorlay #andymcindoe #hilliers #redwoodstone #gothicfolly #chelseaflowershow2002 #RHSVirtualChelsea #RHSHampton
![Pergola](https://redwoodstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Pergola1-1024x768.jpg)
We pulled it all together for 2003 with the Folly, the Duke’s Font and some amazing planting by the Hillier team.
#chelseaflowershow #redwoodstone #gothicfolly #weatherstoinework #gardendesign #gardenfolly #chelseathroughtheyears #RHSVirtualChelsea #RHSHampton #hilliers #planting
![Staging_1](https://redwoodstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Staging_1-1024x768.jpg)
![Staging_2](https://redwoodstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Staging_2-1024x768.jpg)
![Staging_3](https://redwoodstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Staging_3-1024x768.jpg)
![Staging_4](https://redwoodstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Staging_4-1024x768.jpg)
![Staging_5](https://redwoodstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Staging_5-1024x768.jpg)
A behind the scenes view of what it looks like when a crack Hillier team get to work. Putting this montage together has made me quite emotional and I can never thank Sir Robert and John Hillier, Andrew McIndoe and all the team (you know who you are!) enough for all their help over the years.
#chelseaflowershow #redwoodstone #gothicfolly #hillier #sirroberthillier #johnhillier #andymcindoe #gardendesign #gardenfolly #chelseathroughtheyears #RHSVirtualChelsea #RHSHampton