Sheila has flower power!
Everything came up roses for Sheila Whalley at the 2009 Mansfield District Council Best Kept Garden Awards last night (2 September 2009).
Sheila of Berry Hill Lane, Mansfield scooped both the night's top awards; the Best Overall Garden in Mansfield and the Most Outstanding Garden in Mansfield, contested by all the category winners.
It was the culmination of 12 months hard work for Sheila, who has totally revamped her garden since finishing as runner-up in last year's competition.
Speaking after the event, Sheila said "I'm really surprised but delighted to have won, especially as I've put so much work into redesigning my garden this year.
"In the Summer I opened my garden up to the public as part of the NGS Gardens Open for Charity Scheme and got some really positive comments from visitors, as well as raising money for cancer charities."
Scores of green fingered gardeners, allotment holders and businesses were honoured for their contribution to make to Mansfield's environment at the annual event.
A total of ten 'gardening gongs' were up for grabs:
- Best Business/Pub (sponsored by Martin Wilkinson Jewellers) – The Pheasant, Chesterfield Road South.
- Neighbourhood Award (sponsored by Amberol) – Oak Tree SAFE
- Best Wildlife / Conservation Area – WynndalePrimary School
- Best Front Garden– Derek Garton, Queensway.
- Best Back Garden– Andrew Johnson and Tracey Allsop, Birks Road.
- Best Hanging Basket (sponsored by John Sankey Estate Agents) – Jean Goodall, Collier Avenue.
- Best Street – Halifax Avenue.
- Best Allotment – Harrop White RoadAllotments.
- Best Overall Garden– Sheila Whalley, Berry Hill Lane
- Most Outstanding Garden in Mansfield - Sheila Whalley, Berry Hill Lane.
Winners and runners-up were presented with certificates, trophies and cash prizes by the Chairman of Mansfield District Council, Councillor Mick Barton.
Councillor Eddie Smith, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Mansfield District Council praised the standard of entries in the competition.
He said: "Mansfield district is blessed with some extremely talented gardeners, from the council's own award-winning team to the many enthusiastic entrants into our Best Kept Garden Competition – the standard is incredible."
Meanwhile Mansfield will hear if it has retained its title as Best Small City when the results of the East Midlands in Bloom awards are announced on Wednesday 9 September at a ceremony in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire.