AYLESBURY RESIDENTS AWARDED FOR GREEN FINGERS

The gardening efforts of Aylesbury residents were rewarded last night during the presentation of awards for the Aylesbury in Bloom Resident’s competition, organised by Aylesbury Town Council and held at Worlds End Garden Centre. The Awards were presented by past Mayor Cllr Ranjula Takodra and current Mayor of Aylesbury, Cllr Graham Webster.

With 20 winners across 8 categories, culminating in the presentation of the award for ‘overall winner’, the night was a happy one for many green fingered Aylesbury residents. There were a diverse range of entrants, from therapeutic hospital gardens to a seven year old vegetable patch holder, and judges claimed the task of choosing winners was extremely difficult.

“So many entries of such a high standard made it almost impossible to choose the winner. We wanted to recognise everyone’s efforts in some way, but there had to be one winner per category.” said Jacky Turrell, Horticulture lecturer at Aylesbury College and one of the judges of the competition.

“Judging was arduous, but enjoyable,” agreed Cllr Mark Willis, Chair of the Environment Committee at Aylesbury Town Council, another of the judges of the competition. “I was so impressed with the effort which had been put into each garden and got so much out of each judging day, seeing so many beautiful gardens was inspirational.”

Notable winners included Ms. Adelaide Johnson, who took away a 2nd place in both Environmentally Friendly Garden and Best Back/Formal Garden, and Florence Nightingale Hospice, who came 2nd in Best Communal Garden and 3rd in the Window Box/Hanging Basket category.

The well deserved ‘Overall Winner’ title went to the occupational therapy team at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, whose garden is designed to provide horticultural therapy to patients following spinal cord injuries. Maintained by both the patients and staff, a range of different heights, textures and plants (including vegetables) are used in the garden for patients to assist with their recovery.

“Our garden provides a welcome and therapeutic environment. Gardening is an important part of the rehabilitation process and provides patients with an enjoyable and social experience in the fresh air”, said Susie Scorer who works in the occupational therapy team. “Patients, their families, friends and our staff work hard to maintain the garden so receiving recognition for our efforts and winning the Aylesbury in Bloom award has really given us all a great sense of achievement”.

Guests were treated to an excellent meal provided by World’s End Garden Centre before taking their seats for the presentations. World’s End’s support for the competition was recognised by Aylesbury Town Council, and Dale Lewis, Regional Manager for the Garden Centre Group was presented with a partnership award by the Mayor of Aylesbury, Cllr Graham Webster. The judges, Jacky Turrell of Aylesbury College, Julia Ayres of World’s End Garden Centre and Cllr Mark Willis, were also presented with thank you presents.

Winners of the Aylesbury in Bloom Residents Competition are as follows:

Best Neighbourhood Improvement:
1st: 1st Aylesbury Scout Group (presented at the Schools’ awards ceremony on the 14th July)
2nd: Mr. Pascoe

Best Vegetable Garden:
1st: Evan Fearn (presented at the Schools’ awards ceremony on the 14th July)
2nd: J G Benham

Best Front Garden:
1st: JG Benham
2nd: Judith Porter
3rd Sergio Giraldo

Best Communal Garden:
1st: Occupational Therapy Department, National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital
2nd: Florence Nightingale Hospice

Best Environmentally Friendly Garden:
1st: Linda Kynaston
2nd: Adelaide Johnson
3rd: Mr. Pascoe

Best Window Box/Hanging Basket:
1st: Mrs. Judith Porter
2nd: Diana Bullard
3rd: Florence Nightingale Hospice
Highly Commended: Mrs. Brenda Barrett

Best Back/Formal Garden:
1st: Ken & Julia Keasley
2nd: Adelaide Johnson
3rd: Katherine Allen

Special Award for Best Commercial Property: The Broad Leys

Overall Winner: Occupational Therapy Department, National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Photos credit Maurice Cousins