Uttlesford District Council names garden competition winners

The competition was open to all council tenants and leaseholders, and received scores of entries in the categories of Best Garden, Best Tub or Pot, Best Communal Garden and Tallest Sunflower.

Each winner received a £50 voucher to spend in a garden centre, with the Best Communal Garden receiving a £100 voucher.

Best Pot or Tub winner Trudy Power with council leader Cllr Petrina Lees (Image: Uttlesford District Council)

Prizes and certificates were presented by leader of the council Cllr Petrina Lees.

Head of grounds maintenance Mark Felton, who judged the competition, said: "I was so impressed by the high standard of entries - the variety and colour on display was fantastic.

"I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to enter this year's competition."

Lizzy Dunn, of Saffron Walden, won Best Garden for her "fantastic" layout and "excellent use of plants and unusual ornaments".

Lizzy said: "I have been gardening since I was a child. Last year the strong winds destroyed much of the garden, so I ended up totally redesigning it - I'm very pleased with how it has turned out."

Best Tub or Pot went to Newport resident Trudy Power, for the "impressive" arrangement of tubs and pots on her balcony.

Trudy said: "After living in Norfolk for 20 years, I was very sad to leave my beautiful garden.

"When I arrived at Reynolds Court, I was determined to make the most of my balcony and I think I have shown just what you can do."

Barry Richardson being presented with the award for Best Communal Garden (Image: Uttlesford District Council)

The award for Best Communal Garden went to the residents of Newcroft in Saffron Walden, and in particular Barry Richardson - who spends considerable time and effort making the area look lovely for residents to enjoy.

Barry said: "My favourite is the Japanese tree, which is so unusual.

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"I also grow veg which gets shared out amongst all the neighbours - we've had strawberries, sweetcorn, lettuce and tomatoes this year."

Sylvie Cole, who lives in Hatfield Heath, won Tallest Sunflower for her sunflower which reaches 4.2m.

She said the secret to her success was using organic seaweed feed to help grow the towering plant.

Sylvie Coles won the award for Tallest Sunflower (Image: Uttlesford District Council)