Green-fingered gardeners have been honoured for helping to make the community’s green spaces blossom in the District in Bloom Awards 2011.
The awards are organised by St Albans City and District Council and recognise the hard work of residents in improving the appearance of the District.
This year’s winners include the residents of Redbourn who won Best Parish in Bloom category and Mr Stephen Brooks from Bricket Wood who took the award for Best Front Garden.
Each category winner received £50 of vouchers from Aylett Nurseries and a certificate at an awards ceremony held at Aylett Nurseries, St Albans on 15 September which was attended by The Deputy Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Geoff Harrison, and Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism at the Council. The runners-up were also awarded a certificate.
The judges included Andy Wight, Pathway Manager Horticulture and Green keeping at Oaklands College, Isobel Barnes, the Project Leader for Waste Not Want Not, a horticultural enterprise which rescues plants from landfill, and Martin Finney, Garden Designer at Aylett Nurseries.
Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism at the Council, said: “Congratulations to the award winners who have helped make the District look wonderful. I would like to thank all the residents, community groups and businesses who have taken part in this competition. Although they may not have all won an award in this competition, their hard work has helped the District win a number of accolades at this year’s Anglia in Bloom Awards, including Best City for St Albans*.”
The Deputy Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Geoff Harrison, said: "This competition is a fantastic initiative which involves the entire community in helping to make the District more attractive. Thank you to everyone who has taken part.”
The winners of the District in Bloom Awards 2011 are:
Best Parish in Bloom
1. Redbourn Parish
2. Harpenden and Wheathampstead Parish – Joint winners
3. St Stephen’s Parish – Merit
Best School
Manland Primary School, Sauncey Avenue, Harpenden
Best Front Garden
1. Mr Stephen Brooks, Bricket Wood, St Albans
2. Mr Colin Branch, St Albans
3. Mrs J Symonds, London Colney
Best Senior Citizen’s Garden
1. Beryl Hopkins, Harpenden
2. Janet Trude, Harpenden
3. Mr and Mrs Crook, St Albans
Best Public House Rear Garden
Blacksmiths Arms, St Peter’s Street, St Albans
Best Sheltered Housing
Albany Gate, Belmont Hill, St Albans
Best Commercial Frontage
Harpenden Business Directory, High Street, Harpenden - Winner
Watermatic, Harper Lane, Radlett received a special mention
Best Allotment
1. Brenda and Brian Gilson, St Albans and Robert Tofts, St Albans – Joint winners
2. Dr Martin Keech, St Albans
3. Burydell Lane Allotment Association, Bricket Wood
Best Sustainable Garden
1. Peter Bloomfield and Janette Bradley, St Albans
2. Tessa Reason, Wheathampstead
3. June and Arthur Whetherly, St Albans]
Sponsors of the awards include Aylett Nurseries and The Herts Advertiser which is providing media coverage. Other sponsors include car dealership Romans, Villa Plus, Hertfordshire County Council, Indos Computer Services, Fairweather Roofing, Sopwell House and bed retailer and manufacturer Warren Evans, who have all signed up to sponsor roundabouts in the District.
Member contact:
Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism for St Albans City and District Council
Mob tel: 07956 220264
Contact for the press:
Amanda Wilkinson, Communication Officer
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819317
E-mail: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk
www.stalbans.gov.uk
Notes:
*St Albans won the Best City (100,001 – 200,000 residents) category at the Anglia in Bloom Environmental Campaign Awards 2011. In addition, St Albans won a Special Award for the Best New Entry and Best Local Authority Floral Display for the Municipal Gardens.
The city was also shortlisted for:
• St Michael’s Manor Hotel under the category Best Industrial/Commercial Area
• Verulamium Park under the category Best Public Open Space, and
• Earthworks under the category Best Garden For Special Needs.
In addition, Redbourn received a Silver Gilt Award in the Small Town* (2,501 – 6,000 residents) category and Redbourn’s St Luke’s School was shortlisted for the Best Young Persons Project.
More information about the District’s success at the Anglia Bloom Awards is available on the Council's website.
Picture Captions:
Winner of Best Front Garden, Stephen Brooks, pictured with Deputy Mayor, Councillor Geoff Harrison