Blooming success for Roddons residents

Published by Anonymous for Circle in Housing and also in Environment

- Housing association celebrates great gardens

Roddons Housing Association, part of Circle Housing Group, has celebrated the green-fingered talents of the winners of its annual gardening competition.

The competition aims to recognise and reward the horticultural efforts of Roddons residents across Fenland with gardens, hanging baskets and vegetable plots all considered by the judges.

Overall winners were neighbours Peter Riley and Derek Mitchell ofPrince Street, Wisbech for their tireless work in maintaining their communal garden. The pair, who live in a block of four flats, were encouraged to enter the competition by their appreciative neighbours.

Following advice from tenants, judging took place in July, earlier than last year to ensure the gardens were in full bloom and looking their best. Gardens were judged on colour, creativity, tidiness, good gardening practices and overall appearance.

Chair of the Roddons board Brenda Reynolds judged the entries alongside March resident Brian Waite. She said: “The standard of entries was very high and because there were more this year, we did the judging over two days.”

Pauline Gardner, Neighbourhood Manager at Roddons Housing Association, said:

“I would like to congratulate and thank all of the entrants for their efforts in growing such impressive garden spaces. We are delighted to see residents taking pride in their gardens, as this can improve the appearance of the local area and benefit the whole community.”

Winning entrants received a glass trophy, vouchers and gardening tools at the prize-giving ceremony and afternoon tea, which took place at the Roddons office last Thursday, 13 September.

Please see below a full list of winners:

Best overall:

Mr Peter Riley & Mr Derek Mitchell, Prince Street, Wisbech

Best front garden:

Mrs Janet Wison, Main Road, Parson Drove

Best back garden:

Mrs Jean Anderson, Asplin Ave, March

Best container/hanging basket:

Mr Dean Haynes, Golding Place, Wisbech

Best veg plot:

Mr Gerald Wright, Old West Estate, Benwick

Best sheltered overall:

Mr Alva Smith, Lyons Court, Chatteris

Best sheltered front:

Mrs Mavis Joyce, Quaker Way, Chatteris

Best sheltered back:

Mrs Freda Edwards, Quaker Way, Chatteris

About Circle

Circle is one of theUK’s leading providers of affordable housing. With a dedicated team of more than 2,200 staff, Circle manages more than 63,000 homes, including supported and sheltered housing, for around 200,000 people across theUK.

Its mission is to enhance the Life Chances of its residents by providing great homes and reliable services, and building sustainable communities.

The Circle group includes 12 partners. Nine registered providers (RPs): South Anglia Housing, Wherry Housing Association, Old Ford Housing Association, Circle 33 Housing Trust, Merton Priory Homes, Mole Valley Housing Association, Mercian Housing Association, Roddons Housing Association and Russet Homes; two support & care partners: Circle Support and Invicta Telecare, as well as Circle Living for sales and marketing and management of shared ownership, market rent and private sale properties, and property repairs.