Third Year of Success for Local Growers and Plant Photographers

For the third year running, families across West Monkton, Monkton Heathfield and Bathpool have taken part in flower growing competitions in an eco- partnership between West Monkton Parish Council and Monkton Elm Garden Centre.

Growers were supplied with free seeds and the competition culminated in a prize giving ceremony where Christine Pimm, Store Manager at Monkton Elm Garden Centre and Stuart Haskins, Chair of West Monkton Parish Council had great delight in awarding winners with gardening books, gift vouchers and framed photographs of their competition entries.

Christine said: “Monkton Elm has been a part of this community for over 40 years, as such we love participating in community driven initiatives where possible, such as the community gardens. The parish council in this area is such a dynamic organization that really gets things done! The importance of gardening to improve our environment and our wellbeing is something we at Monkton Elm wholeheartedly support.”

Stuart Haskins added: “Following on from Monkton Elm’s support of our Community Fridge and Community Garden projects, and our previous competitions, we have been thrilled to partner once again with Christine and the team here at this important green business in our parish. This competition, and our other eco projects beside the Brittons Ash Community Centre and at Maidenbrook Country Park, have been enhancing the local habitat for friendly pollinators this summer, and it is wonderful to have been able to bring growers and keen photographers of all ages together as a community”

Below are some of the winners collecting their prizes from Christine Pimm and Stuart Haskins, alongside their winning entries – congratulations to Alan, Becki, Sheila, Brenda, Toby, Dolcie (collected by brother Billy) and Oscar.