Bloomin’ great awards win for gardeners

Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing’s (KNH) ninth annual gardening competition acknowledges the work of people in both north and south Kirklees separately, with a range of categories to succeed in.

Panel judge Graham Porter said: “Individual house gardens showed us once again how much commitment people can give to their homes so that their families and the surrounding communities can all benefit, whether through the growing of fruit and vegetables or through the use of flowers and other plants to enhance the appearance of their surroundings.

“Congratulations to all those who entered and well done to the category and overall winners.”

Coun Cathy Scott, cabinet member for housing, added: “Their gardens bring pleasure to their neighbours and help make sure their estates are attractive places to live.”

Volunteers at Kings Court retirement living scheme in Birstall won the best use of communal space category for north Kirklees for a second time.

Sharon Jackson, also from Birstall, won the award for best individual garden for north Kirklees after previously scooping the top prize in 2012.

And the school garden winner was Carlinghow Princess Royal, based in Ealand Road, Batley.

The best use of small space award was handed to Lynda Barber and Andy Fagg of Dewsbury.

KNH’s director of operations Paul Buckley said: “Many of our tenants work very hard in their gardens and their efforts deserve to be recognised. This competition is our chance to thank them for their work.

“Gardening is a great way of keeping fit and active and offers opportunities to make lasting friendships, so we’d also like to encourage more people to start taking an interest in it – we hope to see whole streets enter next year!”