The Ealing In Bloom awards capped another successful year on Thursday (September 24), with winners from around the borough recognised for their horticultural achievements.
The Mayor and president of Ealing In Bloom Cllr Harbijan Kaur Dheer was present as more than 200 keen horticulturists attended the awards ceremony in the Victoria Hall of Ealing Town Hall.
Ealing did well in the London In Bloom competition so Thursday night's awards were bound to be hard-fought.
Nick Gough was a big winner on the night, picking up the Best Improved Garden Award and the Large Back Garden Trophy while the London Gardens Society medal was awarded to Jon Ward, manager of the Castle Inn in St Mary’s Road, for his hanging baskets in the borough.
Chairman of Ealing In Bloom Cllr Nigel Sumner said all the final entries were of a “very high standard” and the judges were extremely impressed with the ranges of horticultural achievement.
“The season was late in getting started but by the end of July gardens were looking absolutely fabulous – a real abundance of colour,” he added.
“I was particularly happy for the growing number of our finalists who are picking up prizes in the London Gardens Society Awards and this year over 30 entrants were put forward into the London in Bloom competition.”
The Judges Special award was won by Kristine Kristensen for her Large Allotment Plot, which also won first place in the large Allotment Plot competition.
Greenwood Junior School scooped up the schools competition award ahead of second-place Dormers Wells High School and Meadow House Hospice won the award for commercial premises.
Nadira Burki and Henryk and Sara Pycz shared honours for front gardens category while Claudette Wittingham won the award for patio gardens.
The competition has now enjoyed 26 successful years since the independent committee was established in 1988,
Cllr Sumner said: “The committee worked extremely hard and deserve much encouragement and praise – we have a good bunch of chaps and we work well together.
“The sponsors support for Ealing In Bloom is a reflection of the recognition of the contribution that gardening and floral displays give to our townscapes and our individual health and wellbeing.”
This committee has representation from local businessmen and women, local organisations and former winners.
