Wokingham

For the eighth year running Wokingham district’s green-fingered gardeners got involved in Wokingham District Council’s ‘Colour and Cheer’ competition making it a blooming success once again!

Organised by Wokingham district council chairman Cllr Angus Ross, gardeners of every age – from children to older people and community groups to pub landlords – spent many weeks working hard in their gardens. The competition sponsored by the Times’ Series and supported by Sainsbury’s, Foster Wheeler Ltd and Millgate Homes rewards residents, pubs and schools for bringing cheer to neighbours and visitors with dazzling displays of flowers and shrubs.

Winner of the Best Summer Display Front Garden was Jill Tattam of London Road in Wokingham and coming a close second was Patricia and Leslie Mcnab of Little Glebe in Sonning.

For the second year running, Wokingham residents Fred and Nina Preston collected the winning prize for Best Year Round Interest category, with Tim and Valerie Downes of Barkham Road securing second prize.

Pupils took up the challenge and Wargrave’s Robert Piggott C of E Infant School won top prize in the Best Primary School category, closely followed by The Coombes Infant and Nursery School in Wokingham in second place. Wokingham’s Westende Junior School were highly commended.

Secondary schools were also in bloom with The Holt School in Wokingham winning the competition, with The Piggott C of E School being rewarded for keeping the whole school site clean and tidy.

Triumphing for the third year running, The Swan at Three Mile Cross clinched top prize for the Best Pub Frontage, with Ye Olde Leathern Bottel in Wokingham as runner-up.

The Best in Show category was awarded to The Holt School for its creation of a series of gardens created as part of the school’s 75th anniversary celebrations. Winners will be presented with their prizes at a special ceremony at the civic offices in September.

Wokingham Cllr Angus Ross said: “It’s exciting to see so many people engaged in improving their environment for not only for themselves to enjoy but the wider community too. The standard this year was incredibly high and a lot of hard work has gone into their magnificent gardens. I only wish my garden was as colourful and that the entrants could work their magic on my plants!

“Of all the categories, the one I found most rewarding was the schools’ categories. The enthusiasm and knowledge that the pupils showed was very impressive, as was their perseverance in watering their gardens this summer without the benefits of hosepipes! Behind each pupil team was at least one dedicated teacher or parent who must also be congratulated. I would like to extend my thanks to all those who took part and my congratulations to the winners this year!”

Wokingham District Council