THE people of Reading who help make the town look stunning were rewarded at the annual Reading in Bloom prize-giving – and a guerrilla gardening group saw their efforts recognised.
From allotments to front gardens, businesses to community gardens, all the winners were given their trophies and certificates at a ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, Reading, on Monday September 2, attended by Deputy Mayor Cllr David Stevens.
The guerrilla gardening group - a group who cultivate sites they don’t own and give them love and attention to brighten up the town - were acknowledged for their work on Vastern Road.
The event was hosted by BBC Radio Berkshire’s Bill Buckley and chairman of Reading in Bloom Marc Allridge.
Mr Allridge said: “It was a great night and we are so grateful for all the hard work everyone puts into their gardens as it has such an effect on the town.
“We are so proud of Reading and of last year winning a silver gilt in the national competition and hope we do the same or better this year.
"While it is a team effort – with the council, the BID and sponsors like AB Walker – we can also be proud of the ordinary gardeners toiling away come rain or shine and the businesses, too, who make such a great effort.
“We are particularly pleased to give the guerrilla gardening team a special recognition award this year – and to present the Jessica Cecil Award to AB Walker who put so much in to Reading in Bloom.”
Big winners on the night were Angie Webber of Caversham for front garden under 12ft and for over 12ft the gong went to Alan Wade of Southcote.
In the Balcony, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes section the winners were Paul Smith and Angela Pickard of Emmer Green.
The Large Community Garden award went to The Ridgeline Trust – and The Banksian Medal, given for most points in the judging, also went to the Ridgeline Trust.
The Small Community Garden was won by Green Health Thames Valley.
In the business categories Green Park picked up the Commercial Landscape Award, London Street Brasserie the Pub & Restaurant award and the new category of Staff Well Being garden was won by Peter Brett Associates.
Hilton area manager John McLaughlin said: "It was wonderful to host the annual Reading in Bloom Awards once again.
"We at the Hilton are very much part of Reading's community and are proud to help recognise the people who make the town look fabulous in the growing season.
"We celebrated their achievements with a drinks reception, meal and then they were given their trophies.
"I'd like to congratulate them all."
Full results
Front Garden Under 12ft
Bronze
Pat Britton
Reading
Joint Silver
Philomena Aldworth
Caversham
&
Lorraine Russell
Caversham Park Village
Gold
Angie Webber
Caversham
Front Garden Over 12ft
Highly Commended
Judy McAllister
Caversham
Bronze
Guy Watts
Emmer Green
Silver
Chris Abernethy
Reading
Gold
Alan Wade - Green
Southcote
Balcony, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes
Silver
Ed Collins
Reading
Gold
Paul Smith & Angela Pickard
Emmer Green.
Shared Garden
Bronze
Marion Haines & Dian Walker
Emmer Green
Silver
Reading Almshouses Charity
Reading
Gold
Gordon Palmer Court Brock Gardens
Front Container Garden
Bronze
Trudy Fidler
Caversham
Silver
Robert Murrant
Reading
Gold
Lee Bates
Reading
Small Community Garden
Bronze
St Johns Church Garden
Caversham
Silver
Erleigh Road Community Garden
Gold
Green Health Thames Valley
Large Community Garden
Silver
Lavender Place Community Garden
Gold
Ridgeline Trust
Most Eco-Friendly Allotment
Gold
Mike Fleet
Lower Southcote Allotments
Most Attractive Allotment
Silver
Malcom Gaiter
The Meadway Allotments, Tilehurst
Gold
Denise & Mick Elton
Southcote Allotments
Best Maintained Allotment
Silver
Katesgrove Community Allotment
Gold
Southcote Growallot Community Allotment
Commercial Landscape
Bronze
Humos of Caversham
Silver
The Oracle Shopping Centre
Gold
Green Park
Staff Well-Being Garden
Gold
Peter Brett Associates
Silver
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Pubs & Restaurant
Bronze
The Griffen, Caversham
Silver
Back of Beyond
Gold
London Street Brasserie
Special Recognition Award
Guerrilla Garden
Vastern Road
Banksian Medal
Ridgeline Trust
Jessica Cecil Award
A.B. WALKER
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here