Garden grows community spirit

Growing veg' at Wetherby Close bungalows

Residents in north Hull who created a productive garden and a thriving community spirit are this year's Hull in Bloom winners.
The communal front garden at the Wetherby Close bungalows is filled with roses and other flowers, while the back provides residents with fresh vegetables including potatoes, cabbages, runner beans, marrows, beetroot, swede and leeks.
Most of the gardening is done by John Green (74), who is a retired British Army bomb disposal officer, while his neighbour Barry Anstey (56) gardens from his wheelchair.
Tending the plots has brought residents from the 17 bungalows together with many lending a hand.
As a result they formed the Wetherby Close Residents' Association to organise outdoor meals in the garden, raffles, and other community events.
"We were gobsmacked to win Hull in Bloom because it was our first year of entering," said Mr Green, who collected a silver cup and certificate at the winners' ceremony at the Guildhall.
"Gardening is a great outlet for us.
We encourage everyone to get involved and it's enabling people to get to know each other and become friends."
The competition has a range of categories including best school garden, best displays by a pub and commercial premises, best wildlife garden and best hanging baskets and containers.
"We had 160 entries, which was a smashing turnout after the devastation of last year's floods," said Andrew Wilson, Hull City Council's highways and open spaces asset manager.
"Hull in Bloom encourages people to take pride in where they live and keep the city looking its best."

For information on Hull in Bloom visit www.hullcc.gov.uk