Awards for green-fingered residents and businesses
Chesterfield residents and businesses are celebrating after scooping prizes in the annual Chesterfield in Bloom awards.
The prize for the best overall garden was won by Richard and Sharon Smithson, who also won the best back garden (smaller than 80m2) category.
The judges praised their beautifully laid out garden, which they described as ‘a real haven of greenery, with colour and interest all year round, beautifully landscaped and maintained to a high standard. Excellent use of plants with bold foliage giving real structure to the garden.’
Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Smithson and all the award winners in the Chesterfield in Bloom competition. The awards are as a result of months of hard work and toil.
“This is a great example of the way in which residents and businesses have taken pride in their area to improve where they live.”
Tom and Penny Gavan were also noted in the most improved category for the improvements made to their allotment plot.
The other category winners were:
- Best front garden: Terry and Eileen Kelly
- Best back garden (greater than 80m2): Jointly to Terry and Eileen Kelly and also to Philip Brighton
- Best pub or restaurant: The Britannia Inn
- Best hanging basket: Dorothy Smith
- Best allotment site: Rufford Close Allotments, Nigel Masters
- Best allotment plot: Glynn Barnett
- Best container garden: Dorothy Smith
- Best newcomer: Jeff Webster Bakery
- Best plant stall: Mark Brooks, Unstone Plant Centre
- Best general trader: George Cockburn Handbags
- Best fruit and veg stall: Simon Harding
- Best overall market stall: Simon Harding.
In the schools’ competition, St Joseph’s Primary and Junior School was named as the best overall school. The judges were impressed with a good range of vegetable and salad crops grown outdoors in raised beds and under glass and a garden which is having a positive impact on those children taking part.
Other winners in the competition were:
- Vibrant vegetables: Whittington Green School
- Best environmental garden: Calow CE Primary School
- Wonderful wildlife: Calow CE Primary School
- Radical recycling: St Joseph’s CofE Primary School
- Fabulous flowers: St Marys RC Infant and Junior School
- Best school hanging basket: St Marys RC Infant and Junior School
- Painting competition (year 3 to year 6): Isabel Riddell, Henry Bradley School
- Painting competition (reception to year 2): Holly Grace Miles, Christ Church Primary School.
Both award ceremonies were held at Ringwood Hall Hotel, which sponsors the awards.
Chesterfield in Bloom is a council-led project to improve the borough’s environment and forms the borough’s entry into the regional East Midlands in Bloom competition.
To become involved in a range of volunteering opportunities, contact John Ramsey by email: john.ramsey@chesterfield.gov.uk or call 01246 345097.
