It was a day of real celebration when Cheshire Peaks & Plains Housing Trust announced the winners of its Best Kept Garden Competition for 2007 on Friday 7th Septembner.

The competition was the first of its kind to be held by the Trust, to reward tenants who have taken the time and effort to create beautiful gardens. It was open to tenants across the borough of Macclesfield, and entries were in four categories:

• Best individual garden
• Best hanging basket
• Best communal garden, for example in sheltered schemes
• Best children’s garden (for children aged 12 and under)

All entrants were visited by a member of Trust staff who filled in a questionnaire and took photographs of the garden, which were then used by a panel of judges to select the winners in each category. The judging panel was made up of tenants, Board Members and representatives from partner organisations.

The winners were announced and prizes given at a special awards ceremony at West Park Pavilion, which was attended by the Mayor of Macclesfield, Councillor Barry Burkhill and the Mayoress. Representatives from Trust partners ROK and White’s Building Services, who are carrying out improvement work on behalf of the Trust, were also there to sponsor some of the prizes.

The sun was shining on the day of the ceremony, and everyone enjoyed the afternoon, especially those lucky enough to go home with a prize! Winners received a framed certificate and gift vouchers to spend on their gardens. Those in first place in each category were also presented with trophies to commemorate their achievement.

The winners were as follows:

Best Individual Garden:
1st – Mr Malcolm Burgess, Boothfields, Knutsford
2nd – Mrs Edith Jones, Lawrence Place, Poynton
3rd – Mrs Sandra Trotman, Town Lane, Mobberley
3rd – Mr Gerald & Mrs Barbara Wright, Lawrence Place, Poynton
3rd – Mrs Christina Yarwood, Knutsford Road, Wilmslow

Best Hanging Basket:
1st – Mrs Christina Yarwood, Knutsford Road, Wilmslow
2nd – Mrs Muriel Gosling, Leadbeaters Road, Macclesfield
3rd – Mr John Allaby, Kent Avenue, Bollington

Best Communal Garden:
1st – Thorntree Bungalows, Lower Withington
2nd – Winstanley House, Knutsford
3rd – Lawrence House, Poynton

Chief Executive of the Trust, Tim Pinder, says “I am delighted that the garden competition has proven to be such a success. Despite the difficult weather conditions this year, the standard of entries has been excellent and I know that the judging was very difficult. Congratulations have to everyone who entered as well as our winners.

“Taking care of a beautiful garden is a real labour of love, which benefits not only those who live in the property, but everyone who passes by. Attractive gardens can make a real difference to an estate or a community and can encourage others to take pride in their surroundings, so it’s great to be able to give some recognition to our dedicated gardeners. We look forward to even more entries next year!”