Garden competition winners announced

Councillor Rob Davison, DCC Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, presents the Parkwood team with their gardening awards. Pictured are: (left to right) Sean Waring, Jill Ball (Deputy Unit Manager), Ian Hockley, Brian Wall, Penny Collier (Day Service Worker), Denise Ray, Stephen Thornton, Thomas Erskine (Day Service Worker), Sarah Warman and Claire Armstrong (Day Service Worker)

Now in its 18th year, the annual gardening competition attracts a broad range of entries from groups of people who use council day services or live in residential homes.

People of all ages team up with staff to transform their surroundings. There are categories for adult and children’s centres – which are divided into categories for full garden and minor displays.

This year Parkwood Day Centre in Alfreton scooped first prize in both adult categories, and were awarded a total of £200 in prize money as well as a special prize for the best scarecrow.

Councillor Rob Davison, Derbyshire County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care visited the team to congratulate them on their win. He said: “It’s always inspiring to meet people who are so proud of their achievements. The amount of effort that went in to the competition is phenomenal and we are very lucky to have so many keen gardeners who use our services.

“I’d like to congratulate everyone who entered the contest from across Derbyshire for taking such pride in their environment as well as making our facilities better places to live and visit.”

Councillor Davison presented a total of 19 prizes to teams at a ceremony held recently at County Hall in Matlock.

Other first-prize winners include Rowthorne Home for Older People in Swanwick, The Leys Home for Older People in Ashbourne, Newbold Resource Centre and Holbrook Centre for Autism. Special Merit Awards were presented to Linden House Family Centre in Swadlincote and Hillcrest Home for Older People in Erewash.

Any social care services establishments can enter and over the years the competition has helped to transform gardens and the outside of buildings across the county.