Bloomin marvellous - the results of this years tenant garden competition
11 August 2010
Green fingered council tenants and, for the first time resident leaseholders from across Wycombe district have been finding out how their gardens, window boxes, hanging baskets and tubs have fared in this year's local garden competition.
Wycombe District Council's annual garden competition is in its thirty first year. The competition encourages council tenants and resident leaseholders from all around Wycombe district to 'say it with flowers' by maintaining their gardens to a high standard which adds to the enjoyment of the area for the wider community.
Entries were judged in mid-July and prize categories include: master gardener, best overall gardens, best gardens of tenants under 35 and over 65 years old, best small gardens (30ft x 30ft), best leaseholder and best window boxes, tubs and hanging baskets for tenants in sheltered accommodation. Winners receive garden vouchers and certificates for entries across a wide range of categories including window box, small garden, tub and best new entry.
Despite the harsh winter, dry spring and early summer this year, tenants have maintained their gardens, window boxes, tubs and hanging baskets to an exceptionally high standard. This year saw friendly rivalry from some regular competition entrants as well as a high number of new entries.
Councillor Chris Watson, Cabinet Member for Homes and Housing commented: "This competition is a fun incentive encouraging our tenants and resident leaseholders who take great pride in their gardens to showcase their delightful displays. As ever, this year's competition has seen an incredible array of beautiful gardens, window boxes, tubs and hanging baskets on display. I give my congratulations to those who have nurtured their gardens to perfection and I have no doubt the whole community will enjoy them."
Winners of the different categories will receive garden vouchers and a variety of cups and certificates, at an awards ceremony next month in the Council Chamber. All first prize winners are listed below.
This year's Master Gardener winner is Edward Wingrove of High Wycombe, who wins £125 in B&Q vouchers and the prestigious Morris Challenge Cup for the best garden in all sections. First prize in the Sheltered Housing Scheme was Brooke Furmston who won the Sydney Goulborn Cup and £125 in B&Q vouchers. Patches Field was the runner up for the Sheltered Housing Scheme category.
Michelle Keen of Princes Risborough won this year's prize for the best garden of a tenant under 35 years of age and the prize for the best garden not exceeding 30 ft x 30 ft went to last year's Master Gardener winner, Rosemary Hedges of Hazlemere.
Gillian Bennett from Bourne End was this year's Best New Entry in the competition with Kathleen and Michael Laverty also from Bourne End winning the prize for the Best Window Box, Hanging Basket or Small Border. Mr Terence Wilkins of Stokenchurch won the new 'Best Leaseholder' category.
A full list of all the winners can be downloaded below.