Garden and poster competition winners revealed

Winners of the 2016 Greening Grey Britain gardening competition and ‘design a poster’ competition have been announced.

The talented winners were awarded their prizes at a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Mike Connolly.

Supported by local businesses, the gardening competition has been running for six consecutive years to encourage residents, communities and schools to make use of their gardening skills and to help celebrate Bury and Radcliffe in Bloom.

Judging of the gardens was carried out during August by officers from the parks and countryside service.

Entries were judged on:

• Overall design (colour, suitability and quality of plants, upkeep and ‘wow factor’);
• Wildlife (wildlife-friendly plants and features);
• Recycling (compost bins, imaginative/practical use and re-use of materials);
• Sustainability (water conservation/retention, use of permanent planting).

For a discretionary award, all entries were also judged on whether a Greening Grey Britain theme had been incorporated. Greening Grey Britain is a theme owned by RHS Britain in Bloom which is all about transforming hard grey areas into living, planted places that enrich lives.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Congratulations to everyone who entered this year’s garden and ‘design a poster’ competitions. As always the standard of garden entries was first-rate as was the artistic efforts of our youngsters.

“The posters are always a great asset to our annual ‘in bloom’ campaigns, and the garden competition gives us a great opportunity to reward the hard work of green-fingered residents who continue to do their bit to keep our borough looking great.

“Many thanks also to all the local businesses that supported these competitions by providing the prizes and attending the awards ceremony.”

Best Private Front Garden, sponsored by The Rock, was won by Mr Kevan Eastham of Stainton Road, Radcliffe, while Mike and Mrs Christine Hamer of Humber Drive, Bury came second joint winners with Dana and Deno Wilde of Roach Street, Bury. Mr Iain MacKay from Tottington Road, Bury was joint third with Mrs Joan Platt of Winchester Close, Bury. In fourth place jointly were Victoria Thomas from Humber Drive, Bury and Tina and Colin Harrison from Coronation Gardens, Radcliffe.

Best Street or Community Garden, sponsored by Wickes, was won by Abbey Close Tenants and Residents Association, Radcliffe. In second place was the Fusilier Court garden committee, and in third place was Brian Bennett from Moorfield Retirement Living, Radcliffe. In fourth place were George Brown and Irene Thirkell from Irwell Valley Housing Association at Bowker Street in Radcliffe.

Best Commercial or Retail Display, sponsored by Summerseat Garden Centre, was won by Sillett’s Funeral Service of Radcliffe.

Best School Environmental Garden, sponsored by Summerseat Garden Centre, was won by Higher Lane Primary School, Whitefield.

The discretionary award for the Greening Grey Britain theme was won by Abbey Close Tenants and Residents Association, sponsored by Newbank Garden Centre.

In the ‘design a poster’ competition, children aged 4 to 16 were invited to explore their creative side and design a poster to promote the RHS Greening Grey Britain theme.

More than 130 entries were received, and designs created by seven children were selected to be put on display in town centre shops and local parks to help promote this year’s entries in RHS North West in Bloom. Each of the young artists won prizes donated by Tesco, Bury Recycling Team and Bury Council’s road safety team.

The winners were: Sarah Fish (aged 12), Hannah Young (aged 12), Asha Heaton (9), Amelia Yates (10), Lilia Leitch (aged 7), Lilith Taylor (aged 10), and Grace MacKay (7).

The overall winner of the Design a Poster competition, sponsored by Bury Market, was Sarah Fish who attends St Gabriel’s RC High School in Bury.

To get involved with, or to sponsor, Bury or Radcliffe in Bloom phone 0161 253 5266.

ENDS

Press release issued: 11 November 2016.

Picture: The winners of the Greening Great Britain gardening and ‘design a poster’ competitions receive their certificates in the council chamber from the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Mike Connolly.