Newcastle in Bloom

Top awards for blooming gardeners

Apedale Heritage Centre

The winners of Newcastle in Bloom were announced at a special awards ceremony in October, hot on the heels of the borough winning the coveted small city category in Heart of England in Bloom.

An exceptional garden displaying a very high standard of horticulture and a range of wildlifefriendly features has earned a Kidsgrove couple the sought after title of best residential garden in Newcastle-under-Lyme for the second year running.

Maureen Wilson and Graham Green are the winners of the ultimate accolade in Newcastle in Bloom once again after impressing judges with their “excellent” garden which has “something of interest around every corner.”

Maureen and Graham, who were the joint winners of the hotly contested category in 2021, joined other green-fingered residents and Mayor Gillian Burnett at the awards ceremony, which was held at the New Vic Theatre, to find out the results of the Newcastle Borough Council’s popular summer gardening competitions which play a major part in the borough’s annual Heart of England in Bloom campaign.

A spokesman for the council said: “The talented pair also received a “special feature award” for an “amazing, educational and inspirational” space at the lower end of their garden combining a wildlife David Cooper and Gail Benbow at Basford

Sir Thomas Boughey Academy

Trevor, Jane, Anna, and Elson at The Acre St John the Evangelist Catholic Academy

watching hide with photographic facilities.

“The hide features laboratory microscopes, dissection tools and a video camera which switches a rainforest on and off.

“The award was presented by Sandra Simpson in memory of her father, Alfred Birch, a previous competitor whose garden was renowned for its many unusual features.

“Previous overall winners, Graham and Vera Tagg from Porthill, were praised for their colourful, traditional-style garden which is described as a “feast for the eyes” but it was their “amazing and superbly grown” hanging baskets, in “peak condition”, that stole the show this year.

“In the allotments category, Gail Benbow and David Cooper won the overall title thanks to their “excellent, well stocked plot” at Basford allotments showing a great balance of vegetables, fruit and flowers. The judges were also impressed by Gail and David’s well maintained plot, their excellent greenhouse, lovely pond feature and nice hanging baskets.

“Best Vegetable Plot, donated by The Acre Allotment Association in memory of former tenant Granville Rushton, went to Trevor, Jane and Anna Elson. The great reorganisation of a previously neglected plot at The Acre in Silverdale, in a short amount of time, was hailed as a great achievement in itself but it was the excellent range of quality vegetables which really caught the judges’ attention.”

The council spokesman continued: “Not only did Newcastle-under-Lyme win the coveted small city category in Heart of England in Bloom this year, it scooped a twentieth consecutive gold award as well as a discretionary award for an upgraded Grosvenor Gardens in Newcastle town centre which features new, Mediterranean-style planting and bright tiling to all five adjoining subways celebrating 30 years of success in Britain in Bloom.”

Councillor Jill Waring, Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage at the council, said: “It was great to invite all the competition entrants to our awards ceremony at the New Vic Theatre. It’s one of the main highlights in the Bloom calendar; we all look forward to it as it’s a great way to thank everyone for their excellent efforts and round off the year.

“I would like to thank all those who took the time and effort to enter the Council’s competitions. You’re all a credit to Newcastleunder-Lyme and it’s your efforts that help to keep the borough at the top of ‘bloom’ game across the region. I’m pleased that we were able to return to our normal competition format this summer following the Coronavirus pandemic. Our experienced judges were really excited to be back on the road again to re-engage with everyone and see their amazing projects.”

Cllr Waring added: “It’s lovely to celebrate the achievements of our talented winners following a brilliant summer which saw us win the small city category in Heart of England in Bloom, a 20th consecutive gold award and a special award for an improved Grosvenor Gardens.

The Old Hall in Madeley

Special thanks also go to our sponsor, Black Star Ceramics in Baldwins Gate, as we couldn’t have done this without their support.”

High praise was heaped on Apedale Heritage Centre – the community gardens winner – for the “extraordinary, “inspirational” and “productive” site which is regarded as a “wonderful experience.” The council spokesman continued: “Volunteers showcase a range of skills in the garden, from making bird tables out of recycled materials to willow weaving and arts and crafts.

“The “delightful” Old Hall in Madeley –described as a pleasure to visit – has won the licensed premises/businesses category. The layout of the 15th century garden is typically English and it has a true sense of serenity and calmness within its many garden rooms. It was acknowledged that new projects will add to the site’s appeal.

“Meanwhile, in the schools category, St John the Evangelist Catholic Academy, in Kidsgrove, received top marks for their continued enthusiasm and vision in developing their garden, “a space to be proud of”, despite the wide ranging works that are taking place involving the new school building.”

Various other accolades were also presented at the awards ceremony. These were:

Outstanding Achievement Award in memory of Ros Bason - Walter Hulstone. The enthusiastic young gardener, aged 13, became interested in horticulture through his primary school’s gardening club. Walter has since developed his own garden at home which is bursting with quality crops. He also threw himself into planting bedding plants from seed during the pandemic and sold them to his neighbours.

Best Eco School – Sir Thomas Boughey Academy, Halmer End. The environmentallyfriendly hydroponic system is particularly impressive. Work to develop the previously neglected pond will be a great ecological asset to the site. It was also good to see the five-star residence, created by students, for local insect life.

Sponsorship Support Recognition – Derek Mawby Surfacing. A certificate and prize was awarded to Derek for his service and support of the bloom campaign over the past 20 years. He sponsored the Council’s municipal flower bed at the Tatton Park Flower Show from 2002. Derek sponsored the first “flora and fauna” initiative in 2015 – a brown trout sculpture at the Nelson Place roundabout –which has led to six other roundabouts being enhanced with models of indigenous animals and plants. Derek and his team have also provided labour for various projects.

All the entrants were presented with certificates and a selection of spring bulbs and flower/vegetable seeds which were donated by local businesses.

A selection of winners also received bespoke plant labels made by event sponsors Black Star Ceramics.

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