Douglas Borough Council’s 2017 Douglas in Bloom competition has been hailed ‘one of the best’ by regeneration and community committee chairman Stephen Pitts.
Speaking at the Douglas in Bloom awards presentation held in Noble’s Park Pavilion, Councillor Pitts praised entrants for their hard work, patience and imagination which had led to him having the pleasure of judging some ‘truly fabulous entries’ with assistant head of parks (technical) Graham Newsome over two and a half days.
Ahead of the Mayor of Douglas Debbie Pitts presenting the awards Councillor Stephen Pitts urged more gardeners in the borough to take part, saying: ‘There were many occasions during our judging tour when we saw a good number of gardens not entered that were most definitely of a Douglas in Bloom standard. The competition offers a wide range of categories from which to choose, so gives opportunities for gardeners of all abilities and with spaces large or small to showcase their skills.’
In closing he said: ‘I congratulate everyone who took the time to enter this year and thank them for helping to make Douglas a greener, more attractive town.’
First-place Douglas in Bloom winners were:
Susan Dobinson, St Heliers: Hotels and Guesthouses without Gardens
Paul Davies, Westminster Drive: Private Houses with Gardens
Ballacottier Primary School: Public/Community Garden
Shirley Dale, Barrule Road: Best Douglas Council Property
Maureen Currer: Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity
Eric Quine, Harcroft Avenue: Secret Garden
Joseph Debman, Plot 51: Most Improved Allotment
Michael McGarry, Plot 55: Most Productive Allotment.
Ballacottier Primary School: Most Imaginative Floral Display.
Sponsors for Douglas in Bloom 2017 were:
Gregory and Moore Logistics Training Services Ltd
Sadler Agricultural Supplies Ltd
Shoprite Isle of Man
Strand Group
Watsons Nurseries Ltd
Photo - The Mayor of Douglas Debbie Pitts, Councillor Stephen Pitts, front row, and assistant head of parks Graham Newsome, extreme right, with Douglas in Bloom 2017 winners. Picture Andrew Barton.
