Green fingered residents enjoy fruits of their labour

Published by Anstey Burnett for Circle in Housing

Mole Valley Housing Association (MVHA) has announced the results of its ‘In Bloom’ gardening competition. Now in its third year, MVHA’s annual event – sponsored by contractors Burleys and United House – attracted unprecedented levels of interest from keen gardeners across the district.

Part of Circle Housing Group, MVHA created ‘In Bloom’ as a way to celebrate the pride that their residents take in their gardens and open spaces. The competition also aims to encourage more residents to maintain their gardens, to help make the community a more beautiful place to live. The work is part of MVHA’s wider mission to enhance the life chances of its residents.

The proud winners of 'In Bloom' were presented with their certificates and gardening vouchers by the Chair of MVHA’s Board, Alan Catterick, at an awards ceremony on 27 July.

Mr Catterick said: “Our ‘In Bloom’ competition is one of the highlights of the summer. The entrants put so much time, effort and creativity into making their outside spaces so attractive. Their flourishing creations really brighten up our communities. I cannot emphasise too much the impact a nice garden has on the local environment. It shows the pride that residents take in making their house their home, and makesMoleValleya more welcoming and attractive place to live.”

This year’s winners of the large household garden were Michael and Athene Metcalfe. Mr Metcalfe said: “The garden was just a lot of grass when we moved in. It was in a bit of a state really. Athene and I work on it all the time – we’ve been cultivating it for a long while. She’s the brains and I’m the workhorse. We were a bit worried about judging day as garden had been drenched the day before from all the rain! We are thrilled to win. We’ve already spent some of our prize money on lavenders. The rest will be going on fence posts and a trellis.”