Garden Competition 2008

As you know, many of us are new to the committee and there is a learning curve to everything we tackle in life. The initiatives North Walsham in Bloom has taken on this year are no exception. That said, we were thinking that we would commence with a number that would be easily manageable but were somewhat overwhelmed with the number of gardeners wanting to enter – approaching 20.  Word is definitely out around the town that things are on the up and we must be prepared next year for what looks like a record number.

The garden Competition took place on Monday 14th July and all gardens and our host gardeners without exception were superb. It’s a shame that everyone cannot be a winner but at the end of the day our very able Judges in Shirley Gilbert, Sheila Coward, Paul Ingham from North Norfolk District Council and Christine Boggis arrived at a fair result. Chris thanked the judges for what no doubt was an enjoyable but difficult job.

On Monday 27th July the awards were presented by our Chairman Chris Hall along with Town Mayor Brian Wexford. Chris said that we are all as proud of the gardens as the entrants; helpers had put in some sterling work this year and the message was spreading with the town looking as good as we have seen it. Our Mayor ratified what was said and believes not only a difference has been made but it should now be easier to keep up the standard achieved. One feels at this time a sense of pride and responsibility toward the look and cleanliness of our beloved town.

Winners of the awards were:

Large Gardens

1st  K & W Ewing  Woodside, well maintained, visual impact

Joint 2nd  J Harmer  Cromer Road, informal family garden, old established garden
Furze Hill House  Happisburgh Road    New garden, good potential

Medium  Gardens

1st  Gill Cairns  Hall Lane    good use of space, companion planting, garden on different levels, good results for new garden

2nd  Ron Howard   Nelson Road,   tidy and colourful, well maintained

3rd  S Balding  Kimberley Road  interesting plants, vegetables

Small Gardens

1st    Ellen Grover   The Lea, well cared for, uses space, well interesting

2nd    Trish Keck  Woodside, modern design, easy care,  vegetables

3rd  Liz Cornwall  Acorn Road, bright colourful, well mulched

Schools

1st Millfield  - improving each year

2nd   NW Junior  - lot of effort

Public Houses - The Terry Miller Cup

1st  Kings Arms

2nd Feathers

3rd  Bluebell

The Chairman’s Cup for outstanding contribution to NWIB   - The Bluebell Public House

Chris gave a heart felt speech regarding Terry’s commitment and effort toward NWIB – little by little over the years he has helped and contributed so much – Chris said, you don’t know how much it means to us that you have become so involved. Terry has held pub quiz nights for a number of years and donated a substantial sum to NWIB but it’s not all about money – he leads by example with his immaculate garden and is encouraging other public houses to do same. Some might say unselfishly helping his competitors but Terry sees the bigger picture in not only making all residents a town to be proud of, enjoyable and fun to live in but an attraction to Tourists who will spread the word and not only encourage others to come and spend their money with us but also return to see us.