South Ribble Blooming Inspite of Bad Weather » Housing » 24dash.com

New Progress Housing Associations tenants have shown true fighting spirit this summer in beating the weather to produce beautiful garden displays for its annual gardening competition.

With six categories to enter, green-fingered tenants had plenty to go at in creating beautiful small and large landscapes, pretty containers, window boxes and hanging baskets and tasty home-grown fruit and veg.

Keen gardener Mr Joseph Scahill, from Penwortham, received first prize in the small garden category for the fourth year running whilst Mr and Mrs Crossley from Burneside wowed the judges with their entry in the large garden category.

Sara Tattersall, of Pope Lane, Penwortham, was a double award winner with second place in the Small Gardens and Fruit and Veg categories. She said: Ive never attempted to grow my own fruit and veg before and to be honest there has been a lot of trial and error. But Ive had lots of fun and Im very pleased with the results. Now we have a better idea of what we are doing we have even invested in an allotment.

Amongst the produce in Saras vegetable patch were sprouts, cabbages, tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, green beans and chillies.

An additional category this year was open to the children and grandchildren of NPHA tenants. Their challenge was to grow the tallest sunflower.

The winner was nine-year-old Gabrielle Gibson of The Crescent, Bamber Bridge, whose sunflower stood at an impressive 6 foot 3.

The popular competition is organised every year by NPHA to recognise tenants who make a positive difference to their neighbourhoods with their gardens.

All winners and runners-up receive garden centre vouchers and certificates in recognition of their hard work from Progresss Chief Executive, Jacqui De Rose, at a special awards ceremony.

Head of Housing Operations, Gary Melia, said: We know that many of our residents take great pride in tending to their gardens and we feel that their efforts should be recognised.

Through the annual gardening competition we can both recognise these efforts, and say thank you, for the contribution by these tenants in making the areas in which they live so lively and colourful for fellow tenants to enjoy, as well as members of staff.