Magna’s garden competition blooms and grows

8/20/2010

There was a riot of colour and a blaze of glory in this year’s garden competition run by Magna West Somerset Housing Association.

There were 22 entries in the competition - more than last year – and they included vegetable gardens, children’s gardens and plants grown in flats. 

Despite difficult growing conditions, there were more entries than in previous years so the judging took place over two days, rather than one.

The entries covered Dulverton, Timberscombe, Porlock, Alcombe, Dunster, Carhampton, Washford, Stogumber, Williton, Watchet and Stogursey. 

Judges said the entries were a good illustration of what can be achieved through dedication and a lot of imagination.

The competition was judged by Magna tenant Board member Derick Cridland, tenant panel member Irene Bigg and community services manager Barbara Mullan.

Mr Cridland said: “They were very good and seem to be getting better and better. It was very hard to pick the best.

“There were also a lot of lovely gardens we saw as we were going round that hadn’t entered. I wish they would!”

The overall winners were John and Ann Owen, with their Japanese garden at St Audries Close, Stogursey.

They receive the Tim Chilcott Cup and £100 in shopping vouchers for their patio area and fishponds.

Mrs Owen said: “Since we’ve retired we’ve had more time to do the garden. John loves his bonsai.

“It can be an expensive hobby but it gives us pleasure. We’ve got lots of seats and a big gazebo we can sit under. It’s somewhere to relax.”

Organiser Amanda Taylor said: “Whilst judging, we made a note of some of the lovely gardens of residents who had not entered. Over the coming year, we will be thinking of ways to try to encourage them to enter the competition next year.”

Results
Patio/containers: Joint 1 Mrs A Owen, St Audries Close, Stogursey;  R G Walker,  Fishers Mead, Dulverton; 3 Mrs J Oldham, Orchard Way, Timberscombe; 4 Mrs C Brewer, Deane Close, Stogumber. Gardens: Joint 1 Mrs C Richards, Bremis Road, Dunster;  R Bibb, Hill Lane, Carhampton ; 3 S Haynes, Townsend, Williton; 4 Mrs M Gibb Orchard Way, Timberscombe.
Wildlife garden: 1 Miss K Noble, Townsend, Williton; 2 Mr P Chinnock, Quantick Gardens, Alcombe. Vegetable garden: 1 Mrs M Newton, Danesborough View, Williton; 2  Mr C Greed, Willow Grove, Washford. Children’s garden: Dayna Walsh, Risdon Road, Watchet. Plants grown in a flat: Mrs P Wardell, Silvermead, Alcombe.