WHETHER you’re a garden guru or grafter, you may have spotted the green-fingered touch of a Powys company at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last month.

The UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies, featured at the event and collaborated with Rhayader-based Artmetal, who assisted with the creation of a water feature for the stand.

Artmetal is a family-run company specialising in bespoke designer metal work. Both a traditional and contemporary blacksmiths, their creations are constructed in a modern fabrication workshop in the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains.

Even though Artmetal was founded in Worcestershire in 1982 by James Barrett, sons Adam and Tom diversified during the Covid-19 pandemic and shifted their entire lives to the Elan Valley – having fallen in love with the area on a visit.

“As a family we took the plunge and visited Rhayader and quickly fell in love with the area,” said Adam, with Artmetal taking over a premises at The Forge on the Old Builders Trading Estate, in East Street.

 

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“Finding a house in nearby Llandrindod Wells we moved two families and near on 40-years’ worth of stock, equipment and tools, largely doing so ourselves with our own vans.”

Of the collaboration for the Chelsea Flower Show with Dobbies, Adam added: “It’s a great opportunity to work alongside Dobbies and create a piece for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

“Water features are a timeless feature for any garden, bringing tranquil sound, visual appeal, and the chance for wildlife to benefit too.”

County Times: One of the pieces designed by Artmetal for the Dobbies stand at the Chelsea Flower Show One of the pieces designed by Artmetal for the Dobbies stand at the Chelsea Flower Show

After James Barrett created Artmetal in his mum's double garage 40 years ago, Adam joined him after finishing two years at Hereford College studying blacksmithing in 2001. The business grew further when brother Tom joined in 2010. 

“An ambition to own our premises had always been there,” said Adam. 

“In October 2020 we put our house on the market and started the search for a property that would enable us to set the business up in a barn or unit on a farm or smallholding. With developers buying up many properties of this nature, we found ourselves totally outgunned in the marketplace. 

“We cast the net further afield, finding a large disused industrial building in Rhayader. The building, originally a grain store situated in London, was built in 1983 here in Rhayader as a builder's merchants. Since about 1998 it has been largely empty. The site we felt was perfect for us. 

“Our business only takes up about 50 per cent of the building. We saw the chance to convert the rest into other units for other businesses to rent space.

“The opportunities to expand our business just weren't achievable in the West Midlands but Powys gave us the chance to do that.

“A representative from Dobbies found us online and because we were local to him he came to visit us at Forge at the Old Builders on East street, as we call it. The plans they had for the garden were interesting, he liked our work so at short notice we got on board. The feature is now being installed in the garden and we look forward to seeing the result.”

The Dobbies stand at the Chelsea Flower Show showcased how to embrace your own green sanctuary as well as sustainable gardening solutions.

Marcus Eyles, horticultural director at Dobbies, said: “This year, our stand is all about creating a green sanctuary and the importance of embracing nature in a sustainable fashion. Artmetal complement our approach.

“The garden has a variety of components that will not only showcase our team’s authority and expertise but aims to inspire people to create their own sanctuaries, with a plant-centric focus that both looks impressive and is good for the environment too. Thanks to the Artmetal team for supporting our vision.”

For more information on Artmetal, visit their website at www.artmetal.co.uk.