Gold found in Kidsgrove gardens

Kidsgrove gardeners have taken gold in several categories of the Newcastle in Bloom competition.

One resident, Jan Ratcliffe, has had her stunning garden declared the best residential garden in Newcastle-under-Lyme for the third year running.

Jan has retruned as “the best of the best” in the residential gardens category in the annual Newcastle in Bloom competition. Judges described her garden, which rises steeply away from the back of her house in King Street, as “a magnificently mature garden with superb terracing.”

Other winners in Kidsgrove are Maureen Wilson for the ‘Most Environmentally Friendly Garden’ and the borough’s schools’ competition saw St. John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School in Kidsgrove win Overall Winner and Gold.

The borough council organised the local competitions as part of the national Britain in Bloom initiative. This year attracted a record 97 entries and judges were overwhelmed by the high standard of horticultural skills and community involvement.

Keen gardeners, allotment tenants, community groups, businesses and licensed premises, schools, housing complexes and entire streets were given recognition for improving their local area.

Cllr. Elsie Bates, Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “The ‘in bloom’ campaign is all about bringing communities together and rewarding those who take an extra pride in their garden, allotment or community space.

“The hard work and dedication of the people involved makes the borough a more pleasant place to be for us all and encourages others to join in.”

An exhibition of the winning entries will be on show at the New Vic from Monday, 14 October to Monday, 28 October and will also be available at www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk.

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