Aylesbury Town Council has revealed the winners of its annual Aylesbury in Bloom Garden Competition, which recognises the gardening skills and creativity of local residents, businesses, and charities.
Since 2005, the competition has attracted hundreds of participants across the Parish of Aylesbury. This year’s event showcased an impressive level of dedication and passion for gardening.
Entrants were awarded prizes by the Mayor of Aylesbury, Cllr Alan Sherwell, and Mark Vosper from Michael Anthony Estate Agents at an awards evening on Thursday 25 September at the Aylesbury Canal Society.
Local gardening experts gave their time throughout the summer to visit 37 gardens to determine if entrants would receive a Certificate, Bronze, Silver, Silver Gilt or Gold award. The following awards were unveiled on Thursday evening:
Front Garden
- Silver Gilt – Peter Binns, Mr and Mrs Ridgeway, Nirmala Takodra, Paul Trayling, Late Gillian Henley, Mr and Mrs Dore
- Gold – Lynn Ferguson, Kelly Smith and Emily Baughan
Back Garden
- Silver – Nirmala Takodra, Carla Harder
- Silver Gilt – Peter Binns, Mr and Mrs Ridgeway, Lynda Brown, Angela Mccafferty, Mr and Mrs Walker, Daniel Sadek, Hannah Sevier and Angie Lunnon, Kelly Smith and Emily Baughan, Jo Tunnell
- Gold – Paul Flower, Emma Matthews, Glen and Londa Quainco, Henk Swanepoel, Ron and Heather Murray, Nicholas Simms, Sarah Cropley
Edible Garden
- Silver Gilt – Stuart Reid, Kelly Smith and Emily Baughan, Rose Miller, Daniel Riley
- Gold – Ron and Heather Murray
Wildlife/Nature Garden
- Silver – Daniel Riley
- Silver Gilt – Ron and Heather Murray
- Gold – Paul Stroud
Communal Garden
- Certificate – Bearbrook House
- Silver – The King’s Head
- Silver Gilt – Masonic Housing, Byron House, Friends of Aylesbury Train Station, Poplar Grove Practice
- Gold – Florence Nightingale Hospice, Community Head Injury Service
Community Edible Garden
- Silver Gilt – St Peter’s Church
- Gold – Community Head Injury Service
The judges also gave special awards to the following entrants:
- Best Newcomer – Lynn Ferguson
- Best Edibles – Ron and Heather Murray
- Best Wildlife – Paul Stroud
- Best Design – Sarah Cropley
- Innovation Award – Kelly Smith and Emily Baughan
- Mayor’s Cup – Best Overall Community Garden – Community Head Injury Service
- Rose Bowl – Best Overall Residential Garden – Nicholas Simms
The Town Council is grateful for the support of Michael Anthony Estate Agents for sponsoring the competition, the judges and everyone who took part. The competition will return in spring 2025.