A Windsor couple’s stunning show quality garden has won first prize in a garden competition run by a local housing association, despite the fact that last year all that existed was grass.
Competition judge Andy Kauffman, Horticultural Development Manager at Quadron Services, said, “The Marshall’s garden shows fantastic creative and horticultural imagination. What they have achieved in just one year is amazing.”
“The use of decking, gravel and grass to create different areas within their garden shows a really strong sense of design. Borders have also been created with a variety of shrubs and low ground plants and they’ve included a seating area and pergola, so there is something of interest at almost every level. The use of rainwater harvesting equipment reflects their environmental awareness.”
The garden also won first prize in the ‘most improved’ category in the competition run by Thames Valley Housing (TVH) who manage Mr and Mrs’ Marshall’s home, which they purchased just over one year ago.
Mrs Marshall said, “It’s wonderful to win the most improved prize, but to have been the overall winner is amazing. The poor garden had been neglected when we moved in, in April 2009. We were able to create the garden we wanted. My husband even built the shed and the pergolas himself. It’s really flourishing now and we take every opportunity to sit out in it.
Other categories in the competition included best communal garden, best vegetable plot/allotment, best balcony and best street display.
Eleanor Morgan, Resident Involvement Officer, TVH, who also judged the competition, said, “The competition was a chance to showcase and reward many of our residents who put a lot of time and effort into their gardening. They don’t just brighten up their own homes, they also brighten up their neighbourhoods as well, so everyone benefits from their hard work.
The garden competition will be run again next year.
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For more information about Thames Valley Housing or the garden competiton, please email Rosalind Grozier, Communications Officer, at rosalind_grozier@tvha.co.uk or phone her on 0208 607 0886
Notes to Editors
1) Thames Valley Housing is based in Twickenham, South West London and houses a wide range of people who have many different needs. Founded in 1966, the association owns, manages and administers loans for over 13,000 properties in London, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire and Sussex, and has 857 properties under construction. Thames Valley Housing provides affordable rented homes, shared ownership, market rent, student and key worker accommodation, working with eight NHS Trusts.