Blooming lovely competition announces winners

In a bid to get the town’s residential gardens looking blooming beautiful, Horncastle in Bloom (HiB) launched its Residents Front Garden Competition in May, urging residents and businesses in and around the town to give their front garden areas a spruce up as a part of Horncastle’s entry into the regional competition of East Midlands in Bloom.

A number of residents from across the town entered into the spirit of Blooms and the local judges had a very tough job on their hands.

Judges Sylvia Ravenhall, assistant county organiser for the National Garden Scheme, and Marie Aldridge chairman of the Lincolnshire Hardy Plant Society, commented that their decision was made really difficult due to the fact that “all of the gardens had their strong points and are a credit to their owners”.

The winning garden belongs to Matt Lee of Corn Close, with the two commended gardens belonging to Shand Marshall and Dave and Janet Chapman.

Jules Arthur, co-ordinator for HiB, said: “Having seen the high levels offered by all of the residents, I’m really grateful that both Sylvia and Marie agreed to support and help out with the judging this year. They did a brilliant job, but massive congratulations go to our winner and those awarded commendations.”

In addition to the resident’s, HiB also invited businesses in town to take part in their own competition, with Samantha Wright, HiB treasurer (Seedsology and BBC Gardener’s World Live Garden Design Award winner) agreeing to judge the businesses.

Five businesses ended up being named in the top three winners due to the high quality of entries, with The Busy Butcher and The Admiral Rodney in joint third place, with Just One More Bike coming in second.

The top business award was also split, with both Rosedale House Flowers and The King’s Head aka The Thatch winning the top spot.

Today (Wednesday), HIB will be welcoming the East Midlands in Bloom judges into town, where they will be able to see all of the shops and businesses, the work of the Town Council Estate’s team around the town, Hammerton Garden’s King’s Coronation Celebration Beds, as well as the community allotment garden and the winning resident’s garden.

Jayne Hickling, chairman for HiB said: “It’s been a lot of work in this our first year taking part, but with many volunteers giving so much time and effort to the overall project and bringing the joy of horticulture to the town, I’m really hopeful that the work put in by such a variety of members of the community taking part is positively recognised”.