Winners of city's annual gardening competition announced

After two days of judging from the housing association and the competition’s sponsors, utilities company ENGIE, five awards were given to Gentoo tenants across the city.

In first place were husband and wife Christine and Derek Wilson from Hetton-le-Hole. They received a £100 voucher for Bishopwearmouth Garden Centre on Chester Road.

Their garden featured vegetable patches and a handmade potting shed, where Christine creates her own jams and condiments from the fruit she grows.

In second place was another couple, George and Pauline Crosby, with Phillip Groccott in third.

Lockdown allowed many people spent extra time in their gardens. In Ayton a group of residents used the time to transform their communal outdoor space into a welcoming courtyard filled with vibrant flowers and solar decorations. They were given the Best Neighbourhood Garden award.

A special recognition award went to Alan Bradley.

Nigel Wilson, chief executive officer at Gentoo Group said: “Our annual gardening competition is always great opportunity to recognise and reward our tenants who take extra care of their gardens.

“This year’s competition was especially important, as so many more people have spent time in their gardens and outdoor spaces during the Covid-19 lockdown. The results of their hard work are brilliant to see.”

Amy Porter, CSR manager at ENGIE said: “As a business, we’re focused on working with partners, like Gentoo, to improve the environment we live in and it’s great to support such a fun project like this.

"Everyone can get involved and it has really helped to transform communities and neighbourhoods across Sunderland.

“We’ve been involved with this competition for a number of years now and it was a pleasure to help with the judging and see such wonderful gardens and community areas. Everyone has worked so hard and it was extremely difficult to pick the winners.

“I was particularly proud to be able to hand over the special ENGIE Award, which recognises where a community has come together to revamp a garden.”

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