Events

Ryde In Bloom Awards

In an effort to bring colour back to the streets of Ryde the Town Council agreed to hold a trial run in the town this summer after the suggestion was made by Councillor Graham Pearce and Mike Fitt, the chairman of the Royal Parks Guild.

Having driven around the many streets of Ryde they selected front gardens and hanging baskets visible from the road. Mike Fitt is a trustee for London in Bloom and is adjudicator for South East in Bloom. Flowers alone were not the sole criteria but sustainable planting and care for the environment was important. Much effort had gone into the gardens visited and they were all a credit to their owners. A presentation of certificates was made on Sunday at the Ryde Classic Car Show by the Mayor of Ryde, Councillor David Woodward and it was a pleasure to see the smiles on the faces of the winners especially as Mike Fitt had received additional certificates from South and South East in Bloom., which included a Certificate of Excellence for our overall winner.

Results: Hanging Baskets/Containers/Patio – Mrs Joan Olive, 78 Park Road, Ryde

Large Front Garden – Peter Rodgers, 6 Marlborough Road, Ryde

Medium Front Garden – Dianne Riddell, 4 Greenway, Binstead

Small Front Garden – Cynthia Grace, 10 Wood Street, Ryde

Commercial Premises – Phillip Shaw, The Castle, High Street, Ryde

Care Home/ Social Housing – Colin Howard, St Vincents Care Home, Binstead Road, Ryde

Special Award – Community Rail Partnership with the Medina Centre

Overall Winner – Diane Riddell, 4 Greenway, Binstead

Plans are underway for the 2010 competition which is expected to be launched in May at an event in the tranquil setting of Vernon Square Gardens.