A POWYS-based artist was so impressed with a visit to a Japanese-themed garden in Radnorshire, he decided to create his own mini masterpiece at home.

Davy Turner, known by the name Painterman DavyT, was inspired when he visited Val Brown's Tranquility Haven garden at her home in Whitton, between Knighton and Presteigne.

Val opens the garden to the public several times a year for the National Garden Scheme (NGS) charity.

DavyT, who lives in Franksbridge, near Hundred House, then created his own version at home and also gave Val a painting as a thank you.

County Times: Davy has created his very own Tranquility Haven in Franksbridge Davy has created his very own Tranquility Haven in Franksbridge (Image: Davy Turner)

“Val asked me if I could paint a couple of Japanese scenes on some blank walls (at her home),” said DavyT, whose work can be seen across Powys.

He repainted the signs at the Prince Llewelyn pub in Cilmery, just outside Builth, as well as the Merrie Fryer chip shop in Builth.

“I happily agreed to paint a mural after I had finished my LlandyGonk characters for the Lakeside Boathouse in Llandrindod.”

Val, and her garden, are an inspiration in themselves. In June 2017, she was told she would never be able to garden again after suffering an accident a day before her husband Dave’s funeral, yet she defied doctors.

OTHER NEWS:

Val was airlifted to hospital after badly dislocating her right shoulder and damaging her right arm in the fall.

Medics initially told Val, who spent more than a decade developing Tranquillity Haven, a Japanese stroll garden, with Dave, that she would never garden again due to the level of nerve damage.

But with the help of physiotherapy and her determination, Val has built up her strength and is able to tend to the garden, eventually opening it up to raise funds for the NGS.

The garden has even featured in a virtual film tour for the charity, allowing viewers to enjoy a taste of tranquillity from home.

Val spoke of her pride at opening the garden for the NGS to help charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, as Dave was cared for by a Macmillan nurse following his lymphoma diagnosis.

“After my accident, when they said I’d never garden again, I thought ‘I’ll show you’,” Val had said when the County Times featured her story in December 2020.

“I did physiotherapy and kept working really hard. Luckily, I’m left-handed and I hurt my right side.

“It doesn’t stop me from gardening. I’m very determined.

County Times: A chip off the old block: DavyT has sprinkled some class on the Merrie Fryer chip shop sign in Builth A chip off the old block: DavyT has sprinkled some class on the Merrie Fryer chip shop sign in Builth (Image: Davy Turner)

“After Dave died I thought this would be a good way to raise money, opening the garden and to keep me occupied and also to give people the chance to see the garden. People often comment how they feel at peace and relaxed in the garden.”

In the video tour, viewers can take a stroll over the garden’s red oriental bridge and watch the babbling river run underneath, as well as enjoy a multitude of greenery and flowers.

Val’s garden, which will be open to the public on Sunday, November 5, between 2-4pm, is one of 3,500 gardens opened to raise funds for the NGS to support Macmillan and other nursing and health charities.

To support the NGS and find a beautiful garden near you, visit www.ngs.org.uk. You can watch the film of the stunning Tranquillity Haven garden at https://youtu.be/LmZtnqdSUWs.