A bloomin’ lovely show of top gardens

GARDENING experts across Hathershaw and Fitton Hill are celebrating after scooping top prizes in a major competition.

Thirty-four residents from the New Deal For Communities area put their colourful gardens forward for this year’s Hathershaw and Fitton Hill in Bloom competition.

But there were only 26 winners, who — despite the wet weather — managed to keep their gardens in tip-top condition.

The panel of judges included Les Coop, chairman of the NDC Board; Peter Rafferty, area manager of Streetscene for Hathershaw; Sarah Bevan, Villages Housing and Paul Daly from Daisy Nook Garden Centre.

Green wizards were able to enter into the following categories; Overall Winner in Hathershaw and in Fitton Hill; Best Garden; Best Pensioner’s Garden; Best Communal Area and Best Container Display.

The selected winners received garden centre vouchers worth £80 and trophies and all who participated were given certificates.

Mr Rafferty said: “The quality and variety of plants was fantastic with residents experimenting with bedding plants and sub-tropical shrubs and even vegetables planted among flower beds so that every piece was used productively.

“It was particularly pleasing how residents were teaming up with neighbours to swop cuttings and plants, and to go on and create wonderful communal gardens for the whole neighbourhood.

“All the gardens were maintained to a high standard, there was thoughtful use of recycled materials such as compost bins, solar lights and a high regard for local wildlife with most gardens encouraging nesting birds and having feeding trays and baths.”