Runner-up prize for Beverley gardeners as 'YHA In Bloom' competition spreads its roots to the East Riding

The properties in Beverley’s Knight Way may be a fairly recent addition to York Housing Association’s (YHA) portfolio, but that hasn’t stopped resident Claire Walker – who was helped by her green-fingered five year old daughter, Abbey-Louise – from receiving a runner up award in the 2014 YHA In Bloom competition!

Entries were submitted from proud gardeners in West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and the East Riding in the competition, which is open to all tenants in YHA’s 950 properties across the region.  From balcony and window box displays, to fully established gardens, judges found it difficult to select the best out of some truly amazing displays!  In Beverley, it was Claire and Abbey-Louise’s baskets of petunias that really caught the judges’ attention, although they considered that Abbey-Louise’s sunflowers deserved a special mention, too.

“Abbey-Louise loves gardening with her grandma, and also pitches in at school, so when she asked to have a go at home, I was happy to help,” said Claire.  “I am not particularly green-fingered but we grew many of the plants from seed, and now the baskets and planters look great!”

“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.  “As ever, our keen gardeners – and some beginners, too – rose to the challenge marvellously, with some stunning displays right across the region.  It is fantastic to see some of the newer members of the YHA family in Beverley getting involved, too, and we hope that Claire and Abbey-Louise’s success will inspire many more entries from the East Riding next year!”

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 overall best garden winner was John Roberts from Lichfield Court in York, with the best container and hanging basket displays won by neighbours from Rothwell, Jennifer Hamill and Stuart Howcroft of Pasture View Road.

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

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk