Gardiner by name

Gardiner by name, gardener by nature – a housing association couldn’t have hoped for a better couple to win its annual, green-fingered competition.

Alma and Bob Gardiner’s garden in Consett scooped first prize in the Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association (DAMHA) 2023 gardening competition.

The couple’s excellent use of a small space to show off their garden impressed a judging panel of over 20 people, which included DAMHA staff and board members.

The judging was done via an online poll with only the pictures of the gardening being displayed, so no-one would have recognised where the garden was or, in this case, the apt name of the eventual winners.

Alma and Bob, who have received a certificate and cash prize of £50 for winning the competition, have lived in their current DAMHA bungalow for seven years and have worked hard to transform their outdoor space, including add wooden planting boxes.

Alma said: “We haven’t got a massive space at the back of the house, but the boxes have made a big difference and Bob is very particular on what we plant and ensuring we have a nice mixture of colours.”

“The garden is our pride and joy so to have it recognised in this way is wonderful.”

Paul Mullis, DAMHA Chief Executive said: “Alma and Bob have used the very most of the space they have, and the judges were very impressed with how much they have been able to squeeze in and the obvious forward planning it took to get it looking just right.

“They were very worthy winners of a very competitive competition this year.”

Alma has one particular gardening tip to share with people.

“If you have roses, water them with the soapy water you have left after washing up, because it keeps the green fly off them,” she says.

Second prize went to Pauline Boll, of Pelton Fell, and third prize went to Trevor Bailey, of St Helen Auckland.