Judging of Best Kept Garden – 2012 by Lucy Brennan

Best Kept Garden July 2012 Judging

Judging for the Best Kept Garden and Best Kept Street in Cranmore took place on Thursday 26th July, which was a glorious day gleaming with sunshine. Entries for the competition were high with nearly one hundred garden entries. The competition was judged by an independent Horticulturist Lucy Brennan from Sligo Borough Council, accompanied by Cranmore Co-op Development Officer Helen O’Hara. Entrants were awarded points on tidiness, colour, design, and layout. Winners of the competition will be awarded prizes at the Co-op Family Fun Day on Saturday 1^st September. 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd prizes were awarded in each drive.

Overall winner for Best Kept Street in Cranmore went to Cranmore Drive. Judge Lucy Brennan gave points for neatness, attention to detail, colour from raised beds, paths and steps well maintained, and an absence of litter. Well done to the residents of Cranmore Drive in particular to the youth who were so dedicated to the cause that they even undertook scouting missions to other areas to view other entrants. Langan Drive was awarded best entry in area 2 with best entry in area 3 going to Yeats Drive.

Deserving of praise in helping to achieve these results are local community activists, Martin Ryan , Patrick McMorrow, Sean Coyle,  John & Jonathon Carolan & Christopher Lynott who work on a voluntary basis in the maintance of the Estate.

 In addition a prize was also awarded for the best overall garden in Cranmore which holds the prize of a gardening voucher and a perpetual cup sponsored by the Sister of Mercy. The winner in this category was Brian Curtin from Yeats Drive. Lucy remarked it is “a fabulous haven in a back garden, very creative and interesting, with a lovely colour combination and interesting layout”

Novelty prizes were also awarded for various creative categories; Cameron Gethins from Racecourse View was a new entrant and his garden pond won a prize sponsored by CLUID Housing Association.  “It was a very creative entry, with good potential that can be added too with further planting and colour” Lucy said. Sylvia Forde Racecourse View also won a prize for her special display.

Residents in John Fallon Drive received high praise for their hanging baskets which were full of colour. Well done to the Residents Association for the organisation of same, as it makes a wonderful addition to the street.

 A number of consolation prizes will be drawn for all the participants who entered the competition. Thanks to all who entered the competition and to the friends and neighbours for the nominations. Cranmore Co-op would like to thank Cranmore Regeneration Project for their kind sponsorship of this event without which it would not be possible.

 Thanks also to CLUID Housing Association and Marion Smith for their sponsorship of the garden winners in Racecourse View.