L&H's Green Fingered Gem

Green fingers, blooming marvellous and floral enthusiast are just some words to describe Longhurst & Havelok (L&H) Homes’ tenant and ardent gardener, Dennis Shaw.

Dennis, 75, from Arthur Lucan Close in east Hull won the city wide and Park area best full garden categories in this year’s Hull in Bloom gardening competition, his 26th award in the contest. And if that wasn’t impressive enough his acclaims also stretch to the Hull Centenary Citizen Award in 1997, for his outstanding contribution to the life of Kingston upon Hull and its citizens, and the Charter of the city for his gardening.

To celebrate Dennis’ success and thank him for his gardening, L&H Homes surprised him with a personal letter from Mike Hardy, the Managing Director, and £100 of gardening vouchers. The presentation took place at an awards ceremony for winners of the Hull in Bloom Park Area category on Wednesday 28 October at the Freedom Centre on Preston Road.

Gill Brown, Longhurst & Havelok Homes Neighbourhood Officer, said: “It’s an absolute pleasure having Dennis as a tenant and I’m really enjoyed surprising him and thanking him for the past 12 years he’s delighted us all with his gardening.
“Dennis had not only wowed us with his garden but he’s also maintained the street’s gardens and communal areas, creating an oasis for the Preston Road community.”

Professional gardeners and council officers judge the annual city-wide competition on design, colour, maintenance and innovation.

Dennis’ garden, which boasts a greenhouse, bridge and fish pond, won the categories for the full garden.

Sue Green, Hull City Council Community Participation Officer and Hull in Bloom Park area representative, said: “Dennis has entered the competition every year and always wins an award. However, this year he suffered a break in at his home where some ornaments were broken and tools were stolen so he had to work twice as hard.

“His garden is an absolute delight and improves year on year. He’s a lovely man who really cares about gardening and the local area and we took great pleasure in awarding him 1st prize for the Full Garden category.”

Floral enthusiast Dennis started gardening in 1947 when he was just 11 years old and entered and won a garden competition at Maybury Junior High school, in Hull, for the best cultivated schools boys’ allotment. Dennis went on to win the award three years in a row.

“We didn’t have a lot of money as I was one of 14 but my mam was so proud of me that she bought me a pair of cricket trousers which she turned up and dyed blue for my award photo,” said Dennis.

Since then Dennis’ passion for gardening has grown, leading him to win almost 120 acclaims, including 31 awards and a Hull in Bloom title for 26 years. He’s also appeared on TV and met former Gardeners World presenter and gardening expert, Geoff Hamilton.

His successes have even seen Barbara Windsor and the Queen pay tribute and visit his garden when he lived on the Greatfield estate in Hull.

“I loved meeting the Queen,” said Dennis. “I’ll never forget when I asked her what her favourite flower was and she said ‘Dennis every flower is my favourite flower.’ Since then I’ve never favoured a part of my garden.”

When asked if he had any tips for budding gardeners, Dennis enthused “Geoff said ‘Dennis always enjoy your gardening and pass it on.’

“I can’t read or write but I truly believe in talking to people and telling them to enjoy it.”

Dennis added: “My ambition is to win the lottery so I can go to the Chelsea Flower with my wife Beryl.”

Dennis puts his green finger success down to a gift from God, the help of his good mates and lovely wife Beryl, who makes him lots of cups of tea to keep him going.