Blossoming Hackney talent as green-fingered gardeners win awards

Gold Winners (Image: Archant)

The past year has seen green-fingered locals busy growing fabulous pots, plots, gardens and borders for the contest. The awards ceremony took place at Hackney Marshes Centre, Homerton Road, last Thursday.

The most popular category, Best Front Garden, was won by Roli Ross whose manicured lawns impressed judges from Hackney Council’s Streetscene.

Emma Holland proved that living in a flat was no barrier with her balcony blooms voted number one in the Best Container category.

Younger winners included pupils from Lauriston School in Rutland Road who won the Best Food Growing award, and Benthal Primary School in Benthal Road, which won the Young and Green-Fingered category.

Roli Ross, winner of Best Front Garden category (Image: Archant)

Pride

Ground Force star Tommy Walsh was on hand to share tips.

He said: “It was a great evening for gardening enthusiasts in the greenest borough of inner London, my home town, Hackney. It is great to recognise both residents and officials who organise and support Hackney in Bloom every year.”

Teacher Gavin Bright, from Sebright School, which took bronze in the Young and Green-Fingered category, said: “It was great that the ceremony showed off Hackney’s diversity and that everyone took such pride in their gardens.”

Cllr Jonathan McShane, cabinet member for health, social care and culture, said: “A huge congratulations to those who took part in this year’s Hackney in Bloom Awards – the standard of entrants this year was incredibly high.

“The awards not only recognise Hackney’s top gardeners who help make the borough a bright and beautiful place to be, but they also encourage sustainable horticulture.”

Hackney in Bloom is run by the council with Hackney Homes and East London Garden Society.

n Visit our gallery of all the winners.