Now autumn is here, we wish to give a big shout out to everyone who entered our 2021 virtual Gardening Competition and applaud the masses of hard work undertaken in your gardens, especially throughout the wet summer months!

Lots of us have found calm in our gardens during lockdown, creating special outdoor spaces to enjoy in our own time or with loved ones, and it seems lots of our tenants feel exactly the same way.

This year, due to Government guidance, unfortunately the judges were unable to visit the gardens in person and judged the entries from photos sent in by our tenants.

Our judging panel comprised Michele Morgan; Homes & Communities Director, Cheryl Tracy; Head of Business Improvement and Julie Nicholas; New Homes Manager, all budding gardeners who know their geraniums from their petunias!

Michele Morgan said …

“Despite the difficult year, we have been blown away to see the time, effort and dedication our tenants have invested in their gardens.  The level of creativity; from colourful, blooming hanging baskets and well maintained floral displays, and the move to a more environmentally friendly way of living with edible gardens and the use of recycled material – it has been remarkable! Well done to everybody who entered the competition.”

OUR 2021 WINNERS are …

Newly budded garden – Emma Phillips

Best individual garden – Chris and Marilyn Brooks

Edible garden winner – Donna Hutchings

Spectacular small space – A lovely lady who would like to remain anonymous

A big shout out must also go to our engagement officer Clare Evans for organising another fantastic competition, fingers crossed we will be back out in our communities for next year’s bigger and better gardening showcase!