Delighted Donna scoops coveted title in Council's Newcastle in Bloom Awards

Passionate gardener Donna Thorley, from Clayton, is the overall winner of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s Newcastle in Bloom Awards.

Donna and other competitors eagerly gathered at the New Vic Theatre this afternoon to find out the results of the Council’s popular summer gardening competitions which have played a part in the Borough’s illustrious Heart of England in Bloom campaign for more than 30 years.

Experienced judges visited 91 schools, allotments, residential gardens, community gardens, businesses and licensed premises during June and July.

The theme, “Past, Present and Future”, focused on the future of gardening and how gardens and green spaces can adapt to a changing climate.

Donna is praised for an “enthusiastic approach” to her “beautiful haven” which is a delight to the senses thanks to a diverse mix of colourful, well-grown plants.

The 66-year-old, who has competed for around 20 years, said:

I’m absolutely over the moon. I’ve got so close during the past few years, so to finally win after all this time, and against such stiff competition, is an amazing feeling. I just can’t believe it.

 

When I started out, my garden was very simple, with a square lawn and a small border containing bedding plants – with no perennials in sight! I’ve learned a lot over the years, thanks to feedback from the judges, made lots of big changes and now it’s finally come to fruition.

 

My mum and dad were massive gardeners and I’d always call them first to tell them how I’d done. They passed away within weeks of each other recently, so I feel really emotional. At the theatre, I was given some pepper seeds called ‘Sent from Heaven’, so I know they’re celebrating with me.”

Graham and Maureen Green have received the “most environmentally-friendly garden” award. Their “fantastic” space encourages wildlife and observation of species from an impressive shed laboratory, and the couple have also made a conscious effort to introduce more perennials, saving money and increasing sustainability in the process.

In the hanging baskets category, “dedicated” Kevin Bell has come up smelling of roses for the second year thanks to a fabulous display of annuals, roses, clematis and vegetables. Baskets, particularly at the front of his house, burst with a profusion of bright flowers.

Cllr. Andrew Fisher, Cabinet member for Residents’ Services and Neighbourhoods, said:

Newcastle in Bloom is civic pride in action. It shows what can be achieved when residents, schools, businesses and community groups take responsibility for the places they care about and put their own time, effort and creativity into making them better.

 

The council should be there to support people who roll up their sleeves and make a positive difference in their neighbourhoods, and these awards are about recognising exactly that spirit.

 

Strong communities are built by people who care about where they live. Every entrant has played their part in making Newcastle-under-Lyme a better cared-for, more attractive and more welcoming place.

 

Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you to everyone who took part. You should be incredibly proud of what you have achieved.”

In the allotments category, an exceptional plot at Basford – boasting quality crops, superb structures and a beautiful mix of perennial flowers – has earned Ian and Emily Wilson the overall title. The “best vegetable plot” accolade, donated by the Acre Allotment Association in memory of Granville Rushton, goes to “dedicated” Steve and Chanikarn Bowler whose “fantastic” Crown Bank plot features an abundance of exotic vegetables and herbs.

Hempstalls Hall Care Home is the winner of the licensed premises/businesses section, sponsored by Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District, for providing an “amazing space” enabling residents, staff and visitors to make special memories. The “beautiful” garden includes “impressive” hanging baskets and a glorious colour palette of annuals, perennials, shrubs and mature trees.

Another fantastic year of progress has resulted in Kidsgrove Care Solutions being successful in the community gardens category for a second year. Despite a few setbacks, their allotment garden, based at Chesterton Park, is hailed as “outstanding”. The crops continue to thrive with help from students, volunteers and a new polytunnel.

It’s a hat-trick for Keele University Day Nursery who received top marks in the schools category for the third consecutive year for continuing to provide a “lovely space” for young children. The area is described as a “magical, sustainable wonderland”.

Other winners include –

Special feature award in memory of Alfred Birch – Daren and Gina Downward best acknowledged this year’s theme. New solar panels on their gazebo roof provide shade while generating enough electricity to power garden lighting and a pump filtration system for a large outdoor fish tank.

Outstanding achievement award in memory of Ros Bason – A first-time entry from CEDARS short-stay school was selected for helping to promote local pride and a sense of community. This school offers great opportunities for its pupils, with the students’ woodwork in the garden being particularly impressive.

Best eco-school – Hempstalls Primary School for delivering an outstanding environmental project. Their Forest School sessions involve practical activities such as wildflower, bulb and tree planting; dead hedge construction, bee hotel building and pollinator observation. Judges remarked that the children take great pride in their environment.