Jay Blades unveils upcycled chairs for Chelsea Flower Show and gets Coronation invitation
Jay Blades has unveiled a series of upcycled chairs that will feature at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show - on the day he revealed he has been invited to King Charles' coronation.
The eight creations were produced at The Repair Shop host’s workshop in Ironbridge, and encompass a range of different colourful designs.
They will feature in the London Square Community Garden at this year’s flower show, which runs between May 23-27.
Inspired by a garden created by volunteers on the roof of an abandoned car park on the Doddington and Rollo estate in Battersea, London, the display has been designed by James Smith with the aim of showing how such spaces can bring people together.
Blades’ furniture restorers, Jay & Co, which was previously based in Wolverhampton, were commissioned to provide chairs to fit around a large communal garden table under a pergola.
After Chelsea Flower Show has concluded, the pieces will be relocated to the rooftop garden that served as the inspiration for the display.
Blades, who lives in Ironbridge, said: “Green spaces are essential for everyone at every age. It’s brilliant to have the opportunity to collaborate with London Square on this garden.
“I encourage all of you to get outside whenever you can and experience the peace and joy that green spaces bring.”
The half-acre garden at the Doddington and Rollo estate was mostly created with donated plants, trees, shrubs, compost and tools, from locations such as Kew Gardens and nearby Battersea Park.
Blades has starred in The Repair Shop since its launch in 2017.
Last year, a special one-off episode to mark the BBC’s centenary saw Blades and the repair team visit the King, when he was still the Prince of Wales, at Dumfries House in Scotland.
On Tuesday Blades tweeted a photo his invitation to King Charles coronation, saying: "THOUGHT OF THE DAY. I am of the opinion that my Life belongs to the Whole Community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I LIVE. "hat do you think?"
