Pints and petunias

Best Blooming Pub the Hanging Gate, Diggle and landlord Steve Edwards.

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CHEERS! Landlords Tim O’Neill and Steve Edwards are raising their glasses after working up a “first” for flowers.

The Hanging Gate, Diggle, was crowned the best blooming pub in the annual Saddleworth in Bloom competition — reclaiming the title it held in 2007. Tim and Steve who have recently taken over the pub said the stunning display was down to John Parson from JP Landscapes.

His work has earned the pub the accolade in the past and Steve added: “The display is fantastic.

“The customers love it and it is a main talking point.

“Obviously it is an attraction for passers-by as well as customers. It’s quite a focal point for the village.”

Richard Dawes from Oldham Road, Springhead, proved that he is top of the pots, winning the best container garden section for an impressive fourth year on the trot.

And there was a double for Thomas Adamson from Burnedge Lane, Grasscroft, who held on to the best medium garden title he scooped last year. Greenfield’s Edward Butterworth achieved the same feat in the small garden section.

Completing this year’s winners were Val Pinkerton (large garden) and Sheila Cronley (community garden) both Greenfield.