Garden competition winners are blooming marvellous

A special award ceremony, sponsored by Tivoli Group Ltd and Gemmells Garden Centre, was held recently at the Burns Monument Centre in Kilmarnock and was attended by Provost Jim Todd, Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council; Councillor Jim McMahon, Spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities, and Councillor Maureen McKay.

And the trophy for best private garden in East Ayrshire was presented to Mr Hogg of Oakbank Drive, Cumnock, while the trophy for best council garden was presented to Miss Muir of Lanfine Quadrant, Darvel.

Both gardeners were recognised for their spectacular colours, clever planting and creative garden design.

The task of judging the overall winners for Council and private gardens rested with the Executive Committee of the East Ayrshire Federation, while the three areas – Cumnock and Doon Valley, Kilmarnock Central and North, and Kilmarnock South and Irvine Valley– were judged by specialists from the Council’s Greener Communities and Housing Services, along with Federation representatives.

The Federation was represented at the awards by Chair Davey Leggat and Executive Committee member Dolores Leggat.

Councillor Jim McMahon said: "It was fantastic to meet all our finalists and chat with them about their passion for gardening. Working in the garden can be so rewarding and can help our overall wellbeing, but the hard work of these wonderful people also has a huge impact on their communities bringing colour and improving biodiversity. While I’ve been out walking within my own Ward, I have really enjoyed seeing the finalists’ gardens and I know I am not the only one.

"I was also very touched to hear that one of our finalists from Stewarton has cut his lawn into the shape of a guitar as a tribute to his beloved brother, who was a guitarist. It shows that a garden can mean so many things to so many different people and can be a place of reflection and solace.

"A huge well done to everyone involved, particularly our judges, who had an unenviable task; to Greener Communities and Housing Services for their hard work organising the competition and to all our gardeners, who have my thanks and appreciation."

 

EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL GARDEN COMPETITION 2023

THE WINNERS

BEST COUNCIL GARDEN, KILMARNOCK CENTRAL & NORTH

Mr and Mrs McMullan, Crusader Crescent, Stewarton

RUNNERS-UP

Ms Burnett, Springhill Gardens, Kilmarnock

Mr and Mrs Murray, Creelshaugh Road, Fenwick

BEST PRIVATE GARDEN, KILMARNOCK CENTRAL & NORTH

Mr Conning, Corsehillbank, Stewarton

RUNNER-UP

Mr and Mrs Nisbet, Hazel Avenue, Kilmarnock

BEST COUNCIL GARDEN KILMARNOCK SOUTH & IRVINE VALLEY

Miss Muir, Lanfine Quadrant, Darvel

RUNNER-UP

Mr Muir, Lomond Avenue, Hurlford

BEST PRIVATE GARDEN KILMARNOCK SOUTH & IRVINE VALLEY

Mr Welsh, Lisden, Foulpapple, Newmilns

RUNNER-UP

Mr Kyle, Clearmount Avenue, Newmilns

BEST COUNCIL GARDEN CUMNOCK & DOON VALLEY

Mr Robertson, Hamilton Drive, New Cumnock

RUNNER-UP

Mr Campbell, Watson Terrace, Drongan

BEST PRIVATE GARDEN CUMNOCK & DOON VALLEY

Mr Hogg, Oakbank Drive, Cumnock

RUNNER-UP

Ms Willison, Holm, Cumnock

JENNIFER ELLIOT MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST ROSE GARDEN

Presented by her daughter Sharon Tomlinson

Mr Mitchell, Brewlands Street, Galston

RUNNER-UP

Mr & Mrs Gordon, Creelshaugh Road, Fenwick

BEST VEGETABLE GARDEN

Mr Stewart, Onthank Drive, Kilmarnock

Runner-up

Mr & Mrs Lindsay, Carnshalloch Avenue, Patna

BEST HANGING BASKETS & PLANTERS

Mr Lang, Holmlea Place, Kilmarnock

Runner-up

Mrs Orr, Commonhead Road, Kilmarnock

ENIVRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AWARD

Mr Muir, Afton Road, New Cumnock

BEST NEWCOMER

Mrs McGhee, Cutstraw Road, Stewaton

Runner-up

Mr Beaney, Oakbank Drive, Cumnock

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Ms Tryon, Garden Street, Dalrymple

CLEANER GREENER MOST VIBRANT VILLAGE

Catrine village square

Runner-up

Sorn

CLEANER GREENER MOST VIBRANT STREET

Shaw Road, Kilmaurs

Runner-up

Afton Court, New Cumnock