Kingswood Parks in Bloom 2011.
“I’ve got the best front garden!”

Residents across the whole of Kingswood Parks have been pruning, weeding and dead-heading to make sure that their front gardens were looking the best they possibly could to be entered into the Kingswood Parks In Bloom competition 2011.

We narrowed the entrants down to two finalists and Neil Jennison, of Parcevall Drive, was delighted to hear that he and his wife Angela had been selected as the winners of this year’s competition. Mr and Mrs Jennison have won £1,000 in B&Q vouchers, while runner up Carolyn Harris can treat herself with £50 in vouchers for Frankie and Benny’s restaurant.

Upon hearing of their success, Neil and Angela Jennison said: “We are incredibly excited to have won the best front garden competition. We have put a lot of hard work into our garden and the whole family is really proud to have won. Until recently, we were growing vegetables in our back garden, however we have now acquired an allotment and so plan to spend the B&Q vouchers on making our back garden somewhere for us to relax and enjoy.”

The gardens were judged by Landplan, Kingswood Parks’ landscape gardeners. They told us: “the winning garden was well maintained, with a nice colourful design and demonstrates a very interesting use of cordoned fruit.”

Neil added: “We have lived in Kingswood Parks for 11 years now and we still love it here. Our front garden is a beautiful and relaxing place to be. The apple stepover fencing was put in two years ago and the trees were bought with garden centre vouchers given to Angela as a gift when she left her job as a school nurse in Bransholme.

“We have designed our front garden to attract many different types of wildlife. The pond is central to this, but we also have birdfeeders and scented plants such as lavender and camomile to attract bees. There is also a pile of small logs, to attract insects, along with a ‘frogitat’ shelter and clay pipe for access to the ponds for frogs and newts.

“We have several fruit trees including a cherry tree which was planted last year and a pear tree planted two years ago. Alpine strawberries also grow under the hazel bush. The hanging and wall baskets attract bees and other insects and bring a splash of colour to the front garden.

“Gardens can be a way for people to express their individuality and personal tastes and interests. We are quite passionate about growing our own produce. We feel our garden is versatile and shows what possibilities there are, even in a small plot. The garden is simply a space for us and for wildlife to enjoy.”

Meanwhile, runner up Carolyn Harris, of Meadow Drive, said: “I have started the design of my front garden, from grass which I dug up in three places and planted trees, lavender and a mixture of plants and shrubs, to make it visually appealing through all the colours. I have added blossom trees to the borders as well as tubs of dahlias and chrysanthemums. There is also a wisteria tree climbing up the partition fence which, although it has not flowered yet, has grown very well and I feel it really adds something to the garden.

“When it comes to gardening, I must confess that I am a learner and much of what I do is trial and error but I really enjoy it and have taken pleasure in watching the garden develop from nothing. I think maintaining a nice garden is very important as it improves the area and gives everyone a sense of pride in where they live. I am also keen to point out that this garden has been done to a very tight budget and I think it demonstrates that creating a beautiful garden does not need to be an expensive task.”