A STONE carver to the rich and famous competing at this week’s Chelsea Flower Show has won a gold medal.

Martin Cook, a wood and stone carving and lettering specialist, was awarded a Silver-Gilt Medal in 2011 for his design work on A Literacy Garden and, according to celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh, was robbed of gold.

But this year he has gone one better and has won a Gold medal for this year’s entry, The Mindfulness Garden.

Martin has worked at the Chelsea Flower Show for about ten years and goes into the competition with sponsorship and materials from the Marble and Granite Centre in Rickmansworth.

He believes his family are the oldest carvers in the world having established themselves as long ago as 1730.

The firm's reputation has allowed Martin to carve for the Queen, 10 Downing Street and the British Museum.

His studio is in Bolter End and, after 35 years in the business, it’s been a long time since a younger Martin attended Merchant Taylors' School.

However, his inspiration behind designing The Mindfulness Garden is drawn from his experiences there.

He said: "When I was at school it was very much a case of do not get distracted and focus on the things you’re good at - keep focussed and keep your attention on what you have got to do.

"In the garden there is a bombardment of colour everywhere apart from this one spot of calm."

In The Mindfulness Garden, this is represented by a stainless steel tube and a meditation seat.

Inside the tube, a person can read literal carvings and poetic quotes from the likes of Rudyard Kipling.

The reader will focus on the carvings at the end of the tube, which is designed to provide them with peace of mind despite the riot of colour outside of the tube.

Martin’s partner, photographer Debbie Harris, often works at weddings and he assists her with photography at events by spotting a particular moment of calm in between the furore.

He said: "I try and capture a calm moment, for example an individual sipping champagne. "In these chaotic times it’s good to remain focussed and calm."

Marble and Granite Centre Managing Director Stephen Pike said: "We were pleased to sponsor Martin’s garden because his stone carving is a wonderful showcase for our products.

"Martin and I go back 30 years as business associates and friends.

"We both come from families of stone masons and we share a passion for working with natural stone."