Gongs awarded to the blooming marvellous

Gardeners have collected a bouquet of awards at a presentation ceremony for South Cambridgeshire District Council’s 36th annual Best Kept Garden competition.

Open to all South Cambs tenants and leaseholders, awards for the competition’s 12 categories were presented to:

• Overall best kept garden: Ted Hall from Riddy Lane, Bourn
• Best large garden: David Hart from Earith Road, Willingham
• Best small garden: Norman and Julie Hamilton from Lordship Close, Orwell
• Best kept vegetable garden: Ted Hall from Riddy Lane, Bourn
• New tenant garden award: Dave Welford from Laceys Way, Duxford
• Best kept garden at a sheltered housing scheme: Franklin Gardens, Cottenham, awarded to Pauline Enderle
• Best family garden: Sean and Sarah Firby from Orchard Road, Histon
• Best window box or container: Sheila Cracknell from Sheralds Croft Lane, Thriplow
• Best community garden: Franklin Gardens, Cottenham, awarded to Sue Brooklyn
• Best greenhouse (vegetables): Harold Gawthorp from Cambridge Road, Balsham
• Best greenhouse (flowers): Harold Gawthorp from Cambridge Road, Balsham
• Best wildflower garden: Audrey Grimmer from Hereward Close, Impington

The winners were announced at a special awards ceremony, introduced by Council Chairman, Cllr David McCraith, at Scotsdales Garden Centre, Great Shelford on 15 September.

Scotsdales are long-standing sponsors of the competition.

Council Leader Cllr Peter Topping was also in attendance to congratulate the participants, many of whom were supported on the night by their own local Councillors.

Presenting the awards, Cllr Lynda Harford, cabinet member for housing, highlighted the contribution that beautiful gardens make to residents’ enjoyment of South Cambridgeshire villages, saying: “We’re really lucky to have seen a lovely variety of beautiful gardens in bloom on display across South Cambridgeshire during these awards.

“It’s clear we have lots of fantastic gardeners among our tenants and leaseholders who take real pride in looking after their beds, boxes, hedges and greenhouses.

“I’d like to pass on my congratulations to all those who have taken home the awards and say well done and thank you to everybody who entered.

“Whilst as always, the standard was very high this year, setting the bar for 2018, I would like to encourage even more of our tenants and leaseholders to take part in 12 months’ time.”