Erskine, Scotland’s leading Veterans charity and official charity partner of the Ideal Home Show Scotland, is preparing to take centre stage at this year’s event ahead of unveiling their Falklands memorial garden.

The themed show garden – The Shadow of the Brave – depicts the typical landscape of the Falkland Islands and marks the 40^th anniversary of the conflict. Crafted by Veterans of the Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre, the garden highlights the rugged coastline, sandy beaches, and wildlife, including life-sized sheep and penguins that many of them experienced.

The show garden will also provide visitors the opportunity to view a replica of the Erskine’s Falklands memorial, which will be officially unveiled in the summer.

Thanks to SP Energy Networks, donated seed pods will allow visitors to plant a seed within the garden’s barrels to create a “Forget Me Not Garden” and leave a message for a loved one. At the end of the show the barrels and seeds will be replanted in the Erskine Falklands Memorial Garden within the Veterans Village on the Erskine Estate.

For those unable to attend the show the online digital garden allows the creation of your own “forget me flower” and the chance to leave a message: erskine.org.uk/falklands-garden

The Ideal Home Show is set to open in style on May 26th with a parade led by Regimental Mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Cruachan, along with Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and the pipes, drums, and dancers of the Queen Victoria School. Playing a quiet but significant role in the opening ceremony will be Erskine guest Falkland Veterans Norrie McDade. Norrie will also be displaying his Falklands artwork over the course of the event, with his paintings bringing to life the memories of the conflict.

He has been tasked with judging the Ideal Home Show Cake Competition alongside celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager, while his culinary skills will also be put to the test as he tells visitors about his life as a chef onboard the HMS Plymouth.

Kitted out Erskine style, a trio of Crufts qualified Newfoundland dogs, with claims to fame following appearances in Outlander, will be attending the show every day with their collection buckets and their owner.

Youngsters will also be put to the test in the Erskine Penguin Treasure Hunt, which asks them to find the elusive 10 penguins, made by ERMAC veterans, hidden in other stands.

Erskine CEO Ian Cumming said: “Without the army of volunteers supporting Erskine on the run up to and including the four days of the show we could not achieve what we have done. The Erskine Falklands Garden - the Shadow of the Brave is a truly remarkable piece of work to commemorate which is an extremely important part of our country’s history.

“Without the generosity of our friends and supporters, the Erskine garden would not have been built. We have SP Energy Networks to thank for the manpower and hours generously given to build the garden. Without the supplies from MKM Building Supplies who yet again have donated all the material for the garden they would have nothing to work with.”

Richard Foster, SP Energy Networks, said: “This is my 9^th year working with Erskine and creating an Ideal Home Show Garden. I’m so looking forward to creating the Falklands 40th anniversary garden with our SP Energy Networks trainees. It’s great to be working with Erskine Veterans Charity again and be part of the incredible team spirt that is felt during this project. Although I have had favourite gardens in the past years, I feel this year will be extra special as we remember all those who were part of the Falklands Task Force.”

Lee Smith, MKM Building Supplies, said: “MKM Glasgow are very proud to support Erskine and the care they offer for Veterans who have given us all so much”

To claim your ticket for the Ideal Home Show Scotland, visit: https://ihsscotland.seetickets.com/tour/ideal-home-show-scotland?OfferCode=IHSSERSKINE

To donate directly to Erskine, please visit Erskine.org.uk/donate or search Erskine Veterans.

To find out more about Erskine’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @Erskine Charity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity or listen to Erskine Veterans Radio at Erskine.org.uk/radio or Paisley 107.5 FM