Islington's gardening communities celebrated

Green-fingered residents from across the borough have been celebrated for their gardening expertise, at the Islington in Bloom award ceremony on Monday night.Winners included Sunnyside Community Garden, who scooped first place in the Best community garden category, Highbury Quadrant Estate Neighbourhood Garden winning best estate, and the Cafe at 91 winning best blooming business.  Winners were treated to music by the London Vegetable Orchestra, who play well known songs on instruments created from carved vegetables including buttenut squash, carrots and more. Categories ranged from best tree pit to best container garden, and best hidden gem to best street, ensuring that all Islington residents can take part in the competition.  

Cllr Rowena Champion, Executive Member for Air Quality, Environment and Transport said: ‘Islington residents, community groups and businesses have yet again shown their commitment to creating a greener, healthier borough It's wonderful to see all of our diverse communities coming together to celebrate their hard work. 

“People approach gardening from so many different angles, and get involved for so many different reasons, but we know that gardening and connecting with nature can be so positive for people’s mental and physical wellbeing.  

“We are looking forward to working with communities to see how we can get people involved with further greening their streets.” 

Anita Gracie from Islington Gardeners, who helps judge the competition said: “Turning up to judge gardens where volunteers are working is such a pleasure, talking to them about their work and the space they are helping to improve.  

“The joy that people take from being involved in creating something beautiful is so lovely to witness. That is what this competition is all about – it's the people who make it happen.” 

The award ceremony was held in the spectacular Great Chamber at the Charterhouse, created in the 1540's and the room where Elizabeth I met her privy council in the days before her coronation. Award winners were also treated to a tour of the Charterhouse gardens, a haven of nature and biodiversity in the middle of Clerkenwell.

The full list of winners is as follows: 

Best community garden: Sunnyside Community Garden 

Best park garden: Friends of St John’s Garden 

Best estate garden: Highbury Quadrant Estate Nature Gardeners 

Best children’s planting: Robert Blair Primary School 

Best edible garden: Mildmay Community Food Project 

Best window box: Patricia Jordan 

Best container garden: Louise Souter 

Best front garden: Ann Monaghan 

Best tree pit garden: Lizzie Boyle 

Best blooming business: Cafe at 91 

Best street: Canonbury Energy Garden, Canonbury Station 

Best hidden gem: Anita Gracie  

Best balcony: Oliver Hymans 

Best newcomer: Better Lives Islington  

Best improvement: Jacqueline Bright 

Nancy Pattenden wildlife award: Olden Community Garden 

Community impact award: Children of Brecknock Road Estate