THE people of Reading who help make the town look stunning were rewarded at the annual Reading in Bloom prize-giving – and a guerrilla gardening group saw their efforts recognised.

From allotments to front gardens, businesses to community gardens, all the winners were given their trophies and certificates at a ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, Reading, on Monday September 2, attended by Deputy Mayor Cllr David Stevens.

The guerrilla gardening group - a group who cultivate sites they don’t own and give them love and attention to brighten up the town - were acknowledged for their work on Vastern Road.

The event was hosted by BBC Radio Berkshire’s Bill Buckley and chairman of Reading in Bloom Marc Allridge.

Mr Allridge said: “It was a great night and we are so grateful for all the hard work everyone puts into their gardens as it has such an effect on the town.

“We are so proud of Reading and of last year winning a silver gilt in the national competition and hope we do the same or better this year.

"While it is a team effort – with the council, the BID and sponsors like AB Walker – we can also be proud of the ordinary gardeners toiling away come rain or shine and the businesses, too, who make such a great effort.

“We are particularly pleased to give the guerrilla gardening team a special recognition award this year – and to present the Jessica Cecil Award to AB Walker who put so much in to Reading in Bloom.”

Big winners on the night were Angie Webber of Caversham for front garden under 12ft and for over 12ft the gong went to Alan Wade of Southcote.

In the Balcony, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes section the winners were Paul Smith and Angela Pickard of Emmer Green.

The Large Community Garden award went to The Ridgeline Trust – and The Banksian Medal, given for most points in the judging, also went to the Ridgeline Trust.

The Small Community Garden was won by Green Health Thames Valley.

In the business categories Green Park picked up the Commercial Landscape Award, London Street Brasserie the Pub & Restaurant award and the new category of Staff Well Being garden was won by Peter Brett Associates.

Hilton area manager John McLaughlin said: "It was wonderful to host the annual Reading in Bloom Awards once again.

"We at the Hilton are very much part of Reading's community and are proud to help recognise the people who make the town look fabulous in the growing season.

"We celebrated their achievements with a drinks reception, meal and then they were given their trophies.

"I'd like to congratulate them all."

Full results

Front Garden Under 12ft

Bronze

Pat Britton

Reading

Joint Silver

Philomena Aldworth

Caversham

&

Lorraine Russell

Caversham Park Village

Gold

Angie Webber

Caversham

Front Garden Over 12ft

Highly Commended

Judy McAllister

Caversham

Bronze

Guy Watts

Emmer Green

Silver

Chris Abernethy

Reading

Gold

Alan Wade - Green

Southcote

Balcony, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes

Silver

Ed Collins

Reading

Gold

Paul Smith & Angela Pickard

Emmer Green.

Shared Garden

Bronze

Marion Haines & Dian Walker

Emmer Green

Silver

Reading Almshouses Charity

Reading

Gold

Gordon Palmer Court Brock Gardens

Front Container Garden

Bronze

Trudy Fidler

Caversham

Silver

Robert Murrant

Reading

Gold

Lee Bates

Reading

Small Community Garden

Bronze

St Johns Church Garden

Caversham

Silver

Erleigh Road Community Garden

Gold

Green Health Thames Valley

Large Community Garden

Silver

Lavender Place Community Garden

Gold

Ridgeline Trust

Most Eco-Friendly Allotment

Gold

Mike Fleet

Lower Southcote Allotments

Most Attractive Allotment

Silver

Malcom Gaiter

The Meadway Allotments, Tilehurst

Gold

Denise & Mick Elton

Southcote Allotments

Best Maintained Allotment

Silver

Katesgrove Community Allotment

Gold

Southcote Growallot Community Allotment

Commercial Landscape

Bronze

Humos of Caversham

Silver

The Oracle Shopping Centre

Gold

Green Park

Staff Well-Being Garden

Gold

Peter Brett Associates

Silver

Royal Berkshire Hospital

Pubs & Restaurant

Bronze

The Griffen, Caversham

Silver

Back of Beyond

Gold

London Street Brasserie

Special Recognition Award

Guerrilla Garden

Vastern Road

Banksian Medal

Ridgeline Trust

Jessica Cecil Award

A.B. WALKER