Green-fingered DDC tenants commended for their blooming talents!

Talented tenants have been commended for their hard work transforming their gardens into beautiful green spaces. 

In what was the first since 2019, the annual garden competition, run by the Dover District Tenants’ Consultative Group (DDTCG), made a welcome return with 12 entries. 

Gardens of DDC tenants across the district were visited and judged on multiple criteria including best use of space, sustainability and kindness to wildlife, maintenance, social and leisure, and contribution to the community. 

This year saw a high standard of entries, from beautiful transformations to outstanding effort over time and impressive garden make-overs. 

The difficult task of choosing winners was down to members of the DDTCG, who were wowed by the standard of work. 

Winners were announced at a special ceremony at the DDC offices on Thursday (August 17) with first place and runners up awarded prizes for their efforts. 

An Outstanding Contribution to the Community award was handed to Dean Hughes and Allen Green for transforming the communal gardens at their neighbouring blocks at Charles House and Pittock House in Deal. 

Allen Green and Dean Hughes with their certificates.

The green-fingered pair, with permission from DDC, joined forces to create stunning flower beds, mostly planted from seed, for everyone in their blocks to enjoy. 

A Most Improved award was also among the categories this year, with Cheryl Dunn from Worth scooping first for transforming her garden into a beautiful, social and recreational space for her and her children. 

Cllr Pam Brivio, DDC’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s garden competition. 

“It’s wonderful to see the beautiful gardens created by residents who are helping to make the Dover district an even better place to live. 

“Their passion and dedication is an inspiration and I would like to say a big thank you to each of them for their hard work transforming these green spaces.” 

For more about the competition go to https://www.dover.gov.uk/Housing/Housing-for-Tenants/Get-Involved/Garden-Competition.aspx 

Notes to editors

Full list of winners: 

Best Front Garden 

First Place (pictured): Blodwen Mary Francis, West Hougham 

Second Place: David Hobbs, Woodnesborough 

Highly Commended: Midge Smith and Jane Lowe, Deal 

Best Back Garden 

First Place (pictured): Janet Giles, Ash 

Second Place: Jane Lowe, Deal 

Highly Commended: June Bailey, Woodnesborough 

Most Improved Garden 

First Place (pictured): Cheryl Dunn, Worth 

Second Place: David Hobbs, Woodnesborough 

Special award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community 

Dean Hughes, Walmer 

Allen Green, Walmer