The awards recognise residents who take pride in their outdoor spaces and the “positive contribution” they make to their neighbourhoods
The borough’s best gardeners have been celebrated through a newly-launched council awards scheme.
Barking and Dagenham Council crowned the winners of its first-ever ‘Gardener of the Year Awards’, recognise residents who take pride in their outdoor spaces and the “positive contribution” they make to their neighbourhoods.
The overall winners, Abul and Nour, received £300 in garden vouchers; second place winner Kerry from Dagenham was awarded £150; and third place winners Gill and Peter from Chadwell Heath received £50.
The judges said they were impressed by the high standard of entries, with each winning garden showcasing the time, care and passion residents have invested in creating vibrant outdoor spaces.
The winners were said to “embody the spirit of the council’s ‘It Starts Here’ campaign”, highlighting how “individual actions can make a positive difference to local neighbourhoods”.
Council leader Dominic Twomey said: “It’s fantastic to see the success of our first-ever Gardener of the Year Awards. These gardens are a real credit to the residents who have created them and show the pride people have in their homes and communities. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and thank you to everyone who entered. This is a great example of how it starts right here, with residents making a positive difference in their neighbourhoods.”
The competition will return next year and residents are encouraged to look out for it and either nominate themselves, or a neighbour to be in for a chance to win.
