Tenant whose 'pap' inspired her to garden among winners of Northampton council home competition

Green-fingered council house tenants saw their horticultural efforts recognised as part of the second Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH) best garden competition.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Aug 2018, 08:21 BST
Updated 2nd Sep 2018, 22:08 BST
The winners of Northampton Partnership Homes' best garden competition have been announced.The winners of Northampton Partnership Homes' best garden competition have been announced.
The winners of Northampton Partnership Homes' best garden competition have been announced.

In total, 31 tenants of council houses across Northampton put their gardens forward for judging across two days in June.

Alan Greenwood of Continental Landscapes and Sarah Passam of Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire were given the the hard job of rooting out the best efforts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And the winners were recognised at an awards event at Abington Park Museum on Monday (August 13).

Jen and Neil, who won the Best Small Garden category, say they love watching Gardeners World as well as RHS Chelsea and Chatsworth.Jen and Neil, who won the Best Small Garden category, say they love watching Gardeners World as well as RHS Chelsea and Chatsworth.
Jen and Neil, who won the Best Small Garden category, say they love watching Gardeners World as well as RHS Chelsea and Chatsworth.

The overall best garden category was won by Paula Somers of Kingsthorpe.

The best small garden was won by Neil and Jen Moore in Overstone Lodge; best community garden shared by Blackthorn Health and Wellbeing Club and Ian Knight in Spring Boroughs; the most sustainable garden won by Jean Pratt in Spencer and the best under 16s garden was won by Bellinge Community House Youth Group.

Garden judges Alan and Sarah said: “Seeing how much care and time everyone put into the garden was amazing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It makes judging the gardens very hard. Each garden is a real asset to the community."

Paula, who won the best garden category, volunteers as a gardener at Bradlaugh Fields.Paula, who won the best garden category, volunteers as a gardener at Bradlaugh Fields.
Paula, who won the best garden category, volunteers as a gardener at Bradlaugh Fields.

Jean Pratt, winner of the most sustainable garden in the competition, said her love of gardening came from her grandfather.

She said: "I used to go up to the allotment with my pap where we collected fruit and veg to sell at Hardingstone village.

"I was about 12 then. I didn’t expect to win today as it was the first time I entered.

"The whole competition has been lovely to be a part of.”

Blackthorn Wellbeing and Friendship Club scooped the best community garden category.Blackthorn Wellbeing and Friendship Club scooped the best community garden category.
Blackthorn Wellbeing and Friendship Club scooped the best community garden category.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Northampton Partnership Homes started the competition in spring 2017 as a way of recognising the council tenants who take great pride in their home.

An NPH spokeswoman said: "We’re so proud of all our entries in this year’s competition.

"There’s a story to tell with every garden about why people love to garden. The standard of entries for this year has been really good with some really creative displays.

"We’d like to thank all our tenants for entering and their hospitality for opening their gardens up for our judges over the two days to view.”

Related topics:TenantNorthampton