September 13, 2022
Judging of the Dorset section of Pivotal’s Best Garden Competition has now taken place with prizes being awarded.
To take part, residents simply needed a love of gardening and to want to share their love of plants with others in their own community garden. Entries were judged by our Community Engagement Manager, Clare Sutton, and our Director of Operations, Nathan Stolborg.
The best three Dorset entries were just too close to call as all excelled in different ways. All were awarded joint first prize, for Best Edible Garden, Most Creative Garden and Best Individual Gardener. There was also a prize for the Best Newcomer and three runner’s up prizes, because all entrants deserved recognition for their amazing work. Pictures of the top three and the Best of the Rest are shown here. Look out the Cornwall and Gloucester winners in the next couple of weeks!
Two of the entrants said that winning had ‘made their summer’, while a member of staff who has assisted residents at another scheme said, “This really means a lot to us. We’ve put so much love into it and even when the resident moves on, he leaves his mark here. We have put a copy of his certificate up on our office wall.”
Community Engagement Manager, Clare, who organised the competition, said “We love seeing how the gardens at our supported living schemes can flourish with a little love and attention and we’re extremely impressed with what our residents have achieved. Many of them told us what a difference it makes to their wellbeing, as well as producing fresh fruit and vegetables to improve their diet and keep their bills down, it brings everyone together outdoors.”
All entrants will be presented with certificates and gift cards for their favourite store as well as plants and seeds.
