Pick of the bunch

Saddleworth in Bloom presentation to winners and runners up. PIC L-R: Thomas Adamson (winner- medium garden), Sheila Cronley (winner- best community garden), Frank Ashton (gardening expert), Alma McInnes (Chairman Saddleworth PC), Val Pinkerton and Harry Pinkerton (winners- large garden), Pat Lord (Chair of Special Projects- Saddleworth PC), Edward Butterworth (winner- small garden).

THESE are the faces behind the glorious gardens of Saddleworth.

Green-fingered gardeners were rewarded for their efforts to brighten the area with delightful displays by Saddleworth Parish Council.

Winners gathered at the civic hall, Uppermill, to receive their awards and certificates from parish council chairman Councillor Alma McInnes and local gardening expert Frank Ashton.

The pair were judges for this year’s Saddleworth in Bloom contest. Frank even hosted a “gardener’s question time” after the presentation ceremony.

Also on the judging panel, which picked out the best gardens in mid-July, were members of the Parish Council special projects sub-committee, Councillors Bill Cullen, Keith Begley and Pat Lord.

First prize in the Best Container Garden category went to Richard Dawes, of Oldham Road, Springhead. Ann Smith, of Platt Lane, Dobcross, was second and Ethel Lancashire, of Dobcross New Road, Dobcross, third.

Best Blooming Pub was won by The Hanging Gate, Huddersfield Road, Diggle, with The Old Bell Inn, Huddersfield Road, Delph, second. The White Hart, Stockport Road, Lydgate, and the Railway Hotel, Shaw Hall Bank Road, Greenfield, shared third place. Best Small Garden winner was Edward Butterworth, of Wimberry Close, Greenfield. Second were Chris and Marjorie Malone, of Slades View Close, Diggle. Jo Dewhurst, of Long Lane, Dobcross, and Mira Shiel, of Grove Street, Greenfield, were equal third.

Best Medium Garden went to Thomas Adamson, of Burnedge Lane, Grasscroft, second were Paul and Pamela Davies, of Huddersfield Road, Austerlands. Third place was shared between Graham and Linda Elmore, of Harrop Green Lane, Diggle, and Mr and Mrs Hollingworth, of Wall Hill Cottages, Dobcross.

Best Community Garden was won by Sheila Cronley, of Beech Avenue, Greenfield. Best Large Garden went to Harry and Val Pinkerton, of The Nook, Greenfield.