Litchfield Court resident brings home 'Best Garden Award' in YHA In Bloom competition
MiracleGrow, watering twice a day and help from the grand children – those are three key ingredients that have helped earn John Roberts of Litchfield Court in York the award of “Best Garden” in the annual York Housing Association In Bloom Competition.
Mr Roberts’ garden impressed judges who have been assessing gardens from Scarborough to Rothwell, and Beverley to York as part of this year’s competition, which has seen green-fingered tenants working their magic on gardens, hanging baskets and containers or every shape and size.
“Creating this garden has been a real team effort, with my neighbour Jean helping with the watering, my sister planting up the hanging baskets and my children and grandchildren helping with everything from laying the slate mulch to weeding and planting – it is a great way for the grandchildren to earn some pocket money!” comments John. “I normally only enter my hanging baskets into the competition, but this year I thought I’d give the ‘best garden’ category a try, and I’ve won!”
As well as the beautiful planting, features like a 100 year-old barrow – purchased as a bargain from a second-hand shop and then carefully repaired and painted to make an unusual planter holder – drew the eyes of the judges to help Mr Robert secure the award, whilst the container that sits on the barrow earned him a runner up prize for best container display.
Across the city, despite not having a garden of their own, a sparkling display on a balcony on Navigation Road helped Mr & Mrs Bolton win an award for the ‘Best Golden Theme’.
“This is York Housing Association’s 50thanniversary year, so we had set our tenants the challenge not only of creating even more stunning displays than last year, but wherever possible, incorporating gold into the theme – whether with golden flowers or accessories to add a golden anniversary touch to the gardens,” comments chief executive, Julia Histon. “Mr & Mrs Bolton created a marvellous golden sculpture, with a host of yellow flowers growing around a golden obelisk, decorated with golden butterflies and dragon-flies – they met the challenge admirably! It was displayed surrounded by a host of golden flowers on their balcony – a small space absolutely packed with colour!”
YHA board member, Ruth Brigham, had the enviable task of spending a day visiting the finest gardens to deliver their awards. “I really enjoy gardening myself, and it is hugely inspiring to see the breath-taking displays of flower, herbs, shrubs and foliage which our tenants have spent so much time lovingly cultivating,” says Ruth. “These gardeners not only create a beautiful environment for themselves, but they also really lift the mood of those living around them when they get to see these gardens and containers every time they step out of their front doors.”
The inspiring displays on the Boltons’ balcony also inspired success for two of their neighbours – Joyce Park of Bretgate won the ‘Best Herb Display’ category with her rosemary and mint plantings, and her next door neighbour, Mr P Fryett, was runner-up with his hanging basket displays.
Other winners include two neighbours in Rothwell, Jennifer Hamill and Stuart Howcroft of Pasture View Road, who won the awards for best container display and best hanging baskets with colourful and vibrant displays that would surely rival the Hanging Gardens of Babylon!
For more details, or to see some of the photographs of the winning gardens, please visit www.yorkha.org.uk
ENDS
Links to photographs can be found below, with many more images of YHA In Bloom 2014 winners available from http://news.cision.com/york-housing-association
For further media information or photographs, please contact:
Jay Commins or Samantha Orange
Pyper York Limited
Tel: 01904 500698
Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk
