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 former Provost Jim Todd, who presented the awards; Councillor Jim McMahon, Spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities, and Councillor Barry Douglas.

The trophy for best private garden in East Ayrshire was presented to Mr Welsh, Lisden, Foulpapple, Newmilns, while the trophy for best council garden was presented to Mr Dorrian, Eriff Road, Bellsbank.

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 of Tenants and Residents, 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 Marie and Victoria Devine, who were presented with flowers by Councillor Barry Douglas.

Councillor Jim McMahon, who gave the official welcome, said: “It was fantastic to meet all our finalists and chat with them about their passion for gardening. The hard work of these wonderful people 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.

“We had a new award category this year – the John McKenzie memorial award for best community garden. John was one of our Tenant Volunteer champions who very sadly passed away last year. The memorial award recognised John’s tireless work in communities throughout East Ayrshire. I was delighted that John’s daughters Victoria and Amberley attended the award ceremony and presented the award to Netherthird Community Garden.

“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 2024

THE WINNERS

 

BEST COUNCIL GARDEN, KILMARNOCK CENTRAL & NORTH

Miss Hall, Habbieauld Road, Kilmaurs

RUNNERS-UP

Ms Burnett, Springhill Gardens, Kilmarnock

 

BEST PRIVATE GARDEN, KILMARNOCK CENTRAL & NORTH

Mr Conning, Corsehillbank, Stewarton

RUNNER-UP

Ms Sim, Glen Ord Crescent, Kilmarnock

 

BEST COUNCIL GARDEN KILMARNOCK SOUTH & IRVINE VALLEY

Miss Muir, Lanfine Quadrant, Darvel

RUNNER-UP

Mrs Shaw, Grougar Road, Crookedholm

 

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 Dorrian, Eriff Road, Bellsbank

RUNNER-UP

Mrs Fox, Henderson Drive, Muirkirk

 

BEST PRIVATE GARDEN CUMNOCK & DOON VALLEY

Mr Whteford, Doonview Cottage, Dalmellington

RUNNER-UP

Mr Beaney, Oakbank Drive, Cumnock

 

JENNIFER ELLIOT MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST ROSE GARDEN

Presented by her daughter, Sharon Tomlinson

Mr Mitchell, Brewlands Street, Galston

RUNNER-UP

Mr and Mrs Gordon, Creelshaugh Road, Fenwick

 

JOHN McKENZIE MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST COMMUNITY GARDEN

Presented by Amberley and Victoria McKenzie

Netherthird Community Garden

RUNNER-UP

Knockentiber Community Garden

 

BEST VEGETABLE GARDEN

Mr Simpson, George Young Avenue, Darvel

Runner-up

Mr Stewart, Onthank Drive, Kilmarnock

 

BEST HANGING BASKETS & PLANTERS

Mr and Mrs Mrugala, Anderson Drive, Darvel

Runner-up

Ms Sim, Glen Ord Crescent, Kilmarnock

 

ENIVRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AWARD

Mr Muir, Afton Road, New Cumnock

 

BEST NEWCOMER

Mr Hunter, Mauchline Road, Ochiltree

Runner-up

Mrs Henry, Dunlop Street, Stewarton

 

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Mrs Fox, Henderson Drive, Muirkirk

 

CLEANER GREENER MOST VIBRANT VILLAGE

New Cumnock

Runner-up

Catrine

 

CLEANER GREENER MOST VIBRANT STREET

Afton Court, New Cumnock

Runner-up

Shaw Road, Kilmaurs