March Residents Win Gardening Competition

Published by Mike Holland for Accent Nene in Housing

A green-fingered March couple has won the top prize in a gardening competition organised by housing association Accent Nene.

Accent Nene residents Mr and Mrs William and Jacqueline Barrett of Roses Close in March scooped the first prize in the best front or back garden category.

The competition was open to more than 3,000 tenants of Accent Nene across the East of England.

In July, judges from Accent Nene visited the gardens of everyone who had entered the competition. They then called back on short-listed entrants in August.

Wendy Dyer an Accent Nene resident herself and a member of the Accent Nene board led the judging, accompanied by assistant resident involvement officer Ruth Mingay. Board Member Roger Davis joined Wendy for a second round of judging to visit the short listed entries and finalise the winners.

Wendy Dyer said: Once again March has produced the best garden and the judges are pleased to award the first prize to Mrs and Mrs Barrett. The wide borders of their garden have been cleverly set with a great assortment of shrubs and plants, each one complementing its neighbours while looking excellent itself.

The patio and bungalow walls are a riot of colour thanks to clever use of assorted containers and it is a garden that will look great at any time of the year.

Mrs Barrett added: We are very pleased to have won a prize and very surprised. It was a pleasure to be awarded with a prize

Accent Nene managing director Andrew Williams welcomed the winners to an award ceremony where they were presented with certificates and gift vouchers by the judges.

He said: This is the third year that we have organised a garden competition for residents and we were delighted with the number of entrants and the excellent standards of the gardens.

All of our entrants put a great deal of time and effort into caring for their gardens. They work hard throughout the year keeping them looking fantastic and they should be proud of their achievements.

Following the continuing success of its garden competition Accent Nene plans to continue it as an annual event.