Gardening Competition

Blooming competition is back with adifference

Green-fingered residents are being invited to entera digital version of an annual gardening contest.

Newcastle Borough Council is running its popular horticultural competitions – organised as part of the borough’s Heart of England in Bloom campaign –ina slightly different way this year after last year’s event was cancelleddue to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rather than judges visiting people’s entries this time, gardeners are being asked to submit up to five photographs of their chosen project – highlighting aspects such as wonderful views of a front/rear garden, an outstanding feature, good practice or evidence of encouraging wildlife –along with an optional short written summary.

The categories are the same as usual: allotments, residential gardens, community projects (schools), communitygardens (groups) and licensed premises/businesses.

Residents are being asked to register their entry first before submitting images. Application forms are available at https://bit.ly/3yb8kCt and should be posted to Castle House or e-mailed to newcastleinbloom@newcastle -staffs.gov.uk by 5pm on Friday, July 16. The council is planning to announce the results at the New Vic Theatre later in the year.

Susan Maydew’s beautiful cottage-style garden in Milehouse,pictured, was declared the best residential garden in Newcastle-underLyme in 2019.

Councillor Jill Waring, Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage at the council, said:“I’m delighted that our gardening competitions are back, albeit in aslightly different form, as the borough celebrates 30 years of success in Britain in Bloom –anachievement we’re very proud of. “Our competitions play an important part in the borough’s bloom campaign by bringing communities together, through their shared love of horticulture, to help make Newcastlelook absolutely wonderful. They attract alot of talented gardeners every year. “Even though restrictions are easing, we feel the digital element is the safest option for now. The pandemic has forced more people to stay at home and many have been focusing on home improvements, especially sprucing up the garden which is very therapeutic, so by making it easier to enter we can hopefully encourage even more entrants. “The continued successof the campaign as awhole is down to aborough-wide partnership involving residents, businesses, schools, community groups and awide range of volunteers who take great pride in improving where they live. “As well as improving community links, it makes Newcastle-under-Lyme a more pleasant place to live, work and visit.”

Susan Maydew in her award winning gardeninMilehouse