Old Railway Line Garden Centre Joins ITV’s This Morning for Heartfelt Garden Makeover
Award-winning Old Railway Line Garden Centre recently appeared on ITV’s This Morning as part of a live garden transformation with Chartered Horticulturist David Domoney and the Royal Welsh Regiment team. The segment was part of Domoney’s popular “Front Garden Facelift” series and aired during a special feature introduced by presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.
The uplifting makeover took place at the South Wales home of Heather, a 90-year-old grandmother nominated by her daughter, Sarah. Heather, who has lived in her home for decades, had stopped sitting outside due to mobility issues. Sarah hoped a refreshed outdoor space would offer her mum a peaceful place to enjoy the garden once more.
The garden holds a deeper significance for the family. In 2009, Sarah’s son James was tragically killed while serving in Afghanistan at the age of 21. Heather has kept a red poppy ornament in the garden in memory of her grandson ever since. The new design honoured his legacy with striking metal poppy sculptures—some doubling as bird water stations—and a commemorative bench featuring a bespoke plaque.
Volunteers from Old Railway Line Garden Centre were invited to support the live transformation, providing an array of plants worth over £1,200 as well as expert horticultural knowledge and practical help on the day. The team worked alongside David Domoney and other contributors to create a colourful, accessible front garden Heather could once again enjoy.
“Gardens tell stories. This one reflects Heather’s life and her grandson’s memory. We’ve created a space that’s easier to move around in, filled with plants she can enjoy from her window or on the bench. It’s a small tribute with a big impact,” said David Domoney.
The makeover included a new extended patio with decking for level access, salvia-lined pathways, soft pink hydrangeas, and wall-mounted planters to maximise planting at eye level. The thoughtful planting not only added visual appeal but also supported pollinators and improved the garden’s accessibility.
“These makeovers wouldn’t be possible without the support of our brilliant volunteers and contributors,” added Domoney. “I’m so grateful to Old Railway Line Garden Centre, MM Mac Ltd, Slade Contractors, the Royal Welsh Regiment, and friends of the family for their time and effort… It was an honour to work alongside everyone to create a beautiful garden for Heather, a fitting gesture for someone who has been such a support to her family.”
Liam, Garden Retail Director at Old Railway Line Garden Centre, said:
“It’s been a real privilege to be involved. Garden centres do more than sell plants; we help people reconnect with nature. Seeing around 150 plants go into Heather’s garden today shows just how powerful that connection can be.”
The episode is part of Domoney’s campaign to encourage the public to rethink their front gardens as vibrant, accessible spaces for wellbeing, wildlife, and memory. Viewers can catch the full reveal on This Morning’s YouTube channel.
