Garden competition results

Green fingered A1 Housing tenants made the most of the weather and have spent the last few months working hard to create beautiful gardens that would give Alan Titchmarsh a run for his money. We received entries from across Bassetlaw and the standard was so high in all four categories, the judges did not have an easy task picking a winner.

"I know I say this every year but the quality of gardens has been amazing," said Tenant Board Member and one of the judges, Heather McMillan. "Judging this competition is one of the highlights of my year and it is a privilege to see such beautifully maintained gardens year after year. I even get to pick up a few tips for myself."

Among the highlights of this year’s awards, Robert Garside of Worksop took home the Senior Citizen Award for the first time, and former winner Jack Spittlehouse was left overwhelmed with his Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mrs McMillan added: "Jack has lived in the same house and maintained an immaculate and beautiful garden for more than 40 years, so we’d like to say thank you for being such a great tenant."

Those words were echoed by A1 Housing’s Managing Director, Bernard Coleman, who said: "Having looked at all the photos I can’t believe the judges have been able to choose a winner, all the gardens are fantastic. The level of commitment and dedication that you have put in is unbelievable, so well done to you all.

"I hope that others will see what you have achieved and be inspired to maintain their gardens to a level that we can all be proud of."

	2010 Winners (Left to Right):Brian Lavin, Jack Spittlehouse, Robert Garside; Seated - Margaret Johnson

Roll of Honour

	Senior Citizen Award Winner – Mr Robert Garside, Worksop Runner-Up – Mr George Stone, Ordsall
	Non-Senior Citizen Award Winner – Miss Jane Revill, Gringley on the Hill Runner-Up – Miss Helen Tilley, Retford
	Community Garden Award Winner – Westmoreland House Sheltered Scheme, Bircotes maintained by Mrs Margaret Johnson Runner-Up – Prospect Westway, maintained by Mr Stuart Grainger
	First Time Entry Award Winner - Mr Brian Lavin, Worksop Runner-Up – Ms Lisa-Ann Siddons, Worksop
	Life Time Achievement Award Mr Jack Spittlehouse, Hallcroft

2011 Best Kept Garden Competition

To help attract even more entries to next year’s competition, we ’ve introduced five new categories and, in a change from previous years, there will be no age limit so you can enter whichever section you wish. These will be:

• Traditional Garden
• Fruit and Vegetable Garden
• Modern Garden
• Family Friendly
• Community Garden
• Entry forms will be in the Spring 2011 issue of In Touch