Judges of this year's Magna Housing Association gardening competition had a hard job when they went around to look at the entries.
Frank Wilson, who judged the contest along with David Downton and John Foot, said: "Over the years I have judged at small and large local horticultural shows as well as national events such as the Hampton Court Flower Show. However, I can honestly say that garden competitions are the most challenging to judge.
"The reasons are simple - they are all different and you see them only once for just a short period of time.
"For me, the best bit was actually meeting the gardeners. It was genuinely interesting to hear what they had done, the problems they had overcome and what they were doing next year.
"We saw small gardens and large gardens. We saw first attempts and gardens where years of effort had resulted in something truly outstanding.
"Above all, we saw enthusiasm and pride and it's a shame that not every entry can win a prize."
David Downton said standards were again very high.
"Every garden told a story," he said. "Well done to all the residents who entered."
The judges were taken round all the gardens by contest organiser Jane Fisher, administrator to head of housing, and Ken Bodycombe, Magna's community development manager.
Prizes were presented by Anne Marie Vincent, Magna Housing Association's vice-chairman, at a ceremony at Bayeux Court, Dorchester, one of Magna's sheltered housing complexes. All entrants to the competition were treated to a cream tea at Bayeux Court.
The winner of the John Foot Cup for the best garden overall was Mr and Mrs D Johnson of Fox Meadows in Crewkerne. The couple also won first prize in the small garden category.
First prize winners were awarded £65 worth of gardening vouchers, the second prizes were subscription to Gardeners' World Magazine for a year and third prize was a family ticket to Abbotsbury sub-tropical gardens.
Everyone who entered received a goodie bag from Poundbury Gardens, Dorchester, topped up with a colourful cyclamen and seeds from Magna and stationery from Magna's strategic group for residents, Community Connections.
Results:
Small gardens: 1 Mr and Mrs D Johnson, Fox Meadows, Crewkerne; 2 Mr C Norris, Windsor Road, Dorchester; 3 Mrs E Wood, Noake Road, Sherborne.
Large gardens: 1 Ms J Turner and Mr Hawkins, Twinways, Melplash; 2 Mrs C Lee, Pilsdon Close, Beaminster; 3 Mr and Mrs G Stantiford.
Pots and patio: 1 Mr and Mrs R Cox, Queens Road, Bradford Abbas; 2 Mr and Mrs J Thomson, Harbour Road, Sherborne; 3 Mrs B Knobbs, Half Acres, Sherborne.
Vegetable garden: 1 Mr K Davis, Lubbecke Way, Dorchester; 2 Mr and Mrs G Mills, Higher Newland, Sherborne.
Communal gardens: Bayeux Court, Dorchester. |
