THE results of the annual Wight in Bloom competition were revealed at a special ceremony on the Isle of Wight earlier this week.
Organised by Visit Isle of Wight, and held at Albert Cottage in East Cowes, it was a celebration of those in the community who have worked their “green fingered magic”.
SCROLL DOWN for a full list of winners.
The ceremony was hosted by Isle of Wight High Sherriff Graham Biss and Visit Isle of Wight chair David Curtis-Brignell.
In a video, Wight in Bloom patron Alan Titchmarsh congratulated everyone on their hard work and effort, calling the Isle of Wight a ‘special treasure’.
Pat Jefferies, Best Small Garden winner, with Simon Moye from Southern Vectis and High Sheriff Graham Biss. (Image: Contributed.)
William Thurbin, Best Large Front Garden winner, with Simon Moye from Southern Vectis and High Sheriff Graham Biss. (Image: Contributed.)
High Sheriff Graham Biss said: “We live in a special place, but the gardens and the natural environment is so important to the fabric of the Island.”
As well as winning the category of Best Small Tourist Attraction Garden, Farringford Estate was named the overall winner, taking home the Peggy Jarman Trophy, named after an ardent supporter of Wight in Bloom.
Blackgang Chine, Best Large Tourist Attraction winner, with Simon Moye from Southern Vectis and High Sheriff Graham Biss. (Image: Contributed.)
Island Riding Centre, Best Commercial Garden winner, with Simon Moye from Southern Vectis and High Sheriff Graham Biss. (Image: Contributed.)
Judges said of the garden: “I am sure Lord Alfred would be most impressed, what a beautiful garden.
“So much planning has gone into this garden by the whole estate team, and many volunteers.”
Ellen Penstone-Smith, joint head gardener at Farringford, said: “The garden is only seven years old.
Broadlea Primary School, Best Young People Initiative winner, with Simon Moye from Southern Vectis and High Sheriff Graham Biss. (Image: Contributed.)
Bembridge Parish Council War Memorial Garden, Pride of Place Floral Project winner, with Simon Moye from Southern Vectis and High Sheriff Graham Biss. (Image: Contributed.)
“When we started, it was just a field.
“My husband and I started with nothing, not even gardening tools, and I did the initial designs, so it’s kind of my baby.
“To go on and win the trophy as the overall winner is so special.”
Bucklers View Housing Care, Best Care Giving Garden winner, with Simon Moye from Southern Vectis and High Sheriff Graham Biss. (Image: Contributed.)
Sarah Starsmore, The Red Barn, Best Climate Resilient Garden winner, with Simon Moye from Southern Vectis and High Sheriff Graham Biss. (Image: Contributed.)
As the winner of the Peggy Jarman Trophy, Farringford also received vouchers to visit English Heritage’s Osborne and the National Trust’s Mottistone.
Broadlea Primary School, which won the Young Peoples Initiative, received an extra prize of a class day out, courtesy of Godshill Model Village.
Island Riding Centre was named the Best Large Commercial Garden, and the centre’s Louise Buckner was overjoyed to win.
Stuart Dyer, The Model Village, Godshill, Patrons Award winner, with Simon Moye from Southern Vectis and High Sheriff Graham Biss. (Image: Contributed.)
She said: “I was completely shocked, genuinely!
“It means such a lot to us and to the children that have helped.”
The full list of results are as follows:
- Best Small Front Garden (winner) - Pat Jefferies
- Best Small Front Garden (runner up) - Joan Dyer
- Best Small Front Garden (highly commended) - Andria Richards
- Best Large Front Garden (winner) - William Thurbin
- Best Large Front Garden (runner up) - Jane Cross
- Best Small Tourist Attraction Garden (winner) - Farringford Estate
- Best Small Tourist Attraction Garden (runner-up) - Rylstone Tea Gardens and Crazy Golf
- Best Large Tourist Attraction Garden (winner) - Blackgang Chine
- Best Large Tourist Attraction Garden (runner-up) - Carisbrooke Castle
- Best Commercial Garden (winner) - Island Riding Centre
- Best Commercial Garden (runner-up) - Luccombe Hall Hotel
- Best Commercial Garden (highly commended) - Haven Hall Hotel
- Pride of Place Floral Project (winner) - Bembridge Parish Council War Memorial Garden
- Pride of Place Floral Project (runner up) - Havenstreet Community Association
- Best Young People Initiative (winner) - Broadlea Primary School
- Best Young People Initiative (runner-up) - Godshill Primary School
- Best Young People Initiative (highly commended) - St Georges School
- Best Edible Garden (winner) - Nicola Fradgley
- Best Edible Garden (runner-up) - Glenn Martin
- Best Container Garden (winner) - Nicky Robinson
- Best Container Garden (runner up) - Aly and Gary Inman
- Best Care Giving Complex Garden (winner) - Bucklers View Housing Care
- Best Care Giving Complex Garden (runner up) - IW Ambulance Station Rest and Well Being Garden
- Best Climate Resilient Garden (winner) - Sarah Starsmore, The Red Barn
- Best Climate Resilient Garden (runner up) - Rylstone Tea Gardens and Crazy Golf
- Patrons Award - Model Village, Godshill
- Peggy Jarman Trophy (overall winner) - Farringford Estate
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