Bracknell Your Gardens 2016 Gala Evening
7th November 2016 Posted in Community News, Council News
Bracknell’s top gardeners were rewarded for their blooming efforts at a glittering gala evening on Wednesday, October 26th, 2016.
This year’s Bracknell Your Gardens competition received over 120 garden and allotment entries across 12 categories. The competition encourages the local community to take part in Bracknell’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom campaign.
The gala evening at Bracknell and Wokingham College, was compered by Charles Shaw, Head of Development at Bracknell Forest Homes. Bracknell Town Mayor, Cllr Ash Merry, presented the certificates and prizes. The Judges’ citations were read by Andrew Radgick, senior front garden category judge.
The success of 15 Bracknell Forest It’s Your Neighbourhood (IYN) groups was also celebrated at the gala evening. The groups were presented with RHS certificates, awarded by Thames and Chilterns in Bloom. Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare (JHCL) in Warfield and Warfield Grow and Share based at JHCL site received “Outstanding” awards, the highest IYN award. The IYN campaign provides an opportunity for volunteer-led community groups to get involved in the wider RHS Britain in Bloom initiative.
Caroline Titley, Chief Executive of Bracknell Forest Homes, said: “Bracknell in Bloom and Your Gardens celebrate and recognise the good work of local individuals, groups and organisations, in helping keep Bracknell Forest a well maintained place to live, with lots of pleasant green spaces for the benefit of all residents and visitors. Our congratulations to all the entrants.”
This year’s Bracknell Your Gardens competition and gala was organised by Bracknell Forest Homes and Bracknell Horticultural Association. The competition was supported by Bracknell in Bloom’s other partners: – Bracknell Town Council, Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, The Bracknell Forest Society and Oaktree Garden Centre & Nursery.
Margaret Corridan, Bracknell Horticultural Association’s Secretary said: “The Gala evening is a chance for us to thank all of the gardeners who took part in the competition for their consistent contribution towards keeping Bracknell blooming.”
“Without a doubt, their efforts improve our neighbourhoods and make Bracknell a more green and pleasant place to be. Our judges this year were given a difficult job as; once again, the standard of gardens entered was even higher than last year.”
Allan Moffat, Chair of Bracknell in Bloom and Recreational Facilities Manager at Bracknell Town Council said: “I would like to thank the Bracknell Your Gardens organisers, judges and everyone that worked so hard behind the scenes to make this year’s competition a huge success.”
“I would also like to thank the competition’s sponsors and supporters. Without their valuable help the Bracknell Your Gardens competition would not take place.”
Entries for the 2017 Bracknell Your Gardens competition opened at the gala evening and all this year’s entrants have been automatically entered. To enter for 2017, please email bracknellyourgardens@gmail.com or visit Bracknell Forest Homes website to complete an entry form.
Role of Honour
Best Kept Allotment, Joint Winners: Dave Lyczba and Sandie Keen, Anneforde Place Allotments, Robert and Laraine Petford, Windlesham Road Allotments
Best Kept Allotment – Second Place: Trevor Oakley, South Road Allotments
Best Kept Allotment – Third Place: Frank Brenchley-Brown, South Road Allotments
Best Youth Group Garden: 4th Bracknell Cubs and Beavers, Priestwood
Best Individual Young Gardener: Elizabeth Hatherley, Great Hollands
Best Commercial Front Garden: Holly House, Bullbrook
Best Commercial Container Garden: The Crown Wood Pub, Crown Wood
Tallest Sunflower (Seniors): Measuring 12’ 2” Robert and Laraine Petford, Priestwood
Tallest Sunflower (Juniors): Measuring 11’ 1/4” George McBride
Best Container Garden: Graham & Deborah Hyman, Crown Wood
Best Container Garden – Second Place: Jenny McGriffen, Wildridings
Best Container Garden – Third Place: Tom Henry, Garth
Best Front Garden: Mark Entwistle, Binfield
Front Garden – Second Place: Christine Peters, Bullbrook
Front Garden – Third Place: Sue Kendall, Winkfield
Best Street Entry: 35 to 48 Fountains Garth, Wildridings
Best Newcomer, Front Gardens: Caroline Penn, Birch Hill
Best Environmental Garden, Front Gardens: Terry Wright, The Parks, Harmans Water
Best Presented Front Garden: Joan Ashdown, Wildridings
Special Award for Innovation, Front Gardens: Cassandra Jones, Old Bracknell
Best Garden by the Community: Wroxham Community Garden, Great Hollands
Best Garden for the Community: Rosie Stewart, Wildridings
Best Front Garden – Other finalists: John & Sue Odell, Alison Casserly, Mark Jones, Sharon Sparks