In autumn 2006 I applied to stage my first garden at an RHS show and Shinglesea was accepted for the Chelsea Flower Show 2007. The design brought together my three passions: railways, the seaside and, of course, gardens. It was inspired by the old holiday railway carriages at Winchelsea Beach in Sussex and those at Dungeness, Kent.

The garden featured drought tolerant plants that would withstand the wind, rain and salt air that are the constant companions in this situation. The backdrop to the garden was the full size facade of a Victorian railway carriage, lovingly recreated by my good friend Robert Patch.

A fence made from weathered chestnut palings enclosed the garden which featured an old, wooden dinghy, surrounded by native planting. There was no soil in the garden, instead five tonnes of shingle were imported to recreate an authentic environment for the plants.