Category: News

News from David Domoney. David is a Chartered Horticulturalist with over 40 years of experience growing and caring for plants. David has also worked on UK national television for over 2 decades. As a garden designer, David has won over 30 RHS medals for his garden designs at leading UK gardening shows and events.

Cultivation Street 2014 Overall Winner – Annie Street

Residents in Annie Street, Salford did not have front gardens – the space at the front of the houses was occupied by a concrete alleyway.

Bit by bit, they started planting up the outside, and have now adopted the entire passage and made it into makeshift front gardens.

They have planted fruit trees and shrubs and installed metal arches to give the area some structure. And they have an abundance of pots, planters, raised beds, hanging baskets, seating areas and water features.

They use recycled objects as plant containers too, giving the street a personal touch.

The neighbours are a mix of ages, and everyone joins in. One of the resident’s grandsons, who has autism, loves nothing better than getting stuck in with his spade.

Resident Karen Pearson says “We just do it because we all love gardening. We are just as enthusiastic about our alleyway as other people are about their front gardens.”

“When friends visit, they are impressed by how much we have crammed into the space!”

The street won the top prize of £10,000 of National Garden Gift Vouchers. It has been crowned the Cultivation Street 2014 Overall Winner, and the Best Front Gardens in the UK.

Cultivation Street judges were impressed by their use of recycling and how much there was to see. They noted that the alleyway was full of a variety of plants and containers, giving residents and passers-by plenty to enjoy.

They also loved how the residents had made something so good out of nothing.

Karen and her neighbours were delighted by the news that they had won. “We just can’t believe it! We keep looking at the vouchers, and we’re so proud.”

They plan to spend the vouchers on materials to smarten up their alleyway, and buy lights so it is all beautifully lit at night.

Congratulations to everyone on Annie Street – a deserved win!

See the 2014 Regional Winners and the Special Category Winners.
October 13, 2014
2014 Commmunity and Sustainability winner – Footprints Women’s Centre

Footprints Women’s Centre has been helping women and children for 22 years. It is based in the Colin Neighbourhood of Northern Ireland, a disadvantaged area with a high proportion of single parents with children under five. Footprints operates as a social enterprise, and has developed a food growing project modelled on the Transition Towns movement. They transformed an overgrown, neglected space on the grounds into a kitchen garden. The fresh produce they grow supplies the centre’s catering service, as well as going to households in the local community. It is also used for cookery classes and taster sessions with members. Members have now developed the garden to add a companion wildflower garden, herb garden and orchard, as well as a composting area and treehouse for the children. They have also established an Eco Adventure Club to explore ecosystems and build a ‘Critters Corner’ for the children. Footprints is committed to sustainable living and focusses on environmental action. They harvest rainwater, build insect hotels and ‘green up’ the space by situating plants throughout the building to improve air quality. They have also installed solar panels to generate their own electricity and hot water. This reduced their energy bills and cut down their carbon consumption by 18 tonnes per year. Following this success, they now provide energy advice and environmental workshops to the centre’s users. Eileen Wilson, who runs the Kitchen Garden, says “The group is not only an opportunity to connect with nature and the environment, but is also great fun and helps to form friendships.” Footprints Women’s Centre won the Community and Sustainability category, winning £1000 worth of National Garden Gift Vouchers. Judges were overwhelmed by the quality of entries to this category, and chose Footprints because their whole approach to sustainability was multi-faceted. They were also impressed by the range of people involved in the project, and the focus on including and educating children.

Congratulations to everyone at Footprints Women’s Centre!

See the 2014 Regional Winners and the Special Category Winners.
October 13, 2014
2014 Transformation Street Winners – That Bloomin’ Triangle

Toxteth in Liverpool has become increasingly derelict and unoccupied since the riots in the 1980s. Helen Hebden lives in the Granby Triangle, a group of four streets that is heavily unoccupied.

Ten years ago, some remaining residents decided to take control of the area by planting and greening-up the voids. They spruced up their own front gardens, and then went on to do the gardens of the derelict houses too.

They brightened up the streets with colourful plants, and painted all the front doors too.

Three years ago, one of the terraces was destroyed, leaving the residents with a third of an acre of rubble and dust. Undeterred, they began to prettify this eyesore too.

They clubbed together to rake it over and sowed wildflower seeds. It is now a rich and thriving wildflower meadow with over 50 different flower species recorded there.

Helen says “This project has forged friendships and strengthened our community. It is a joy to all who pass by, as well as the residents remaining on the streets.”

They now have a community group and meet regularly for events and parties.

That Bloomin’ Triangle won the Transformation Street Award, winning £500 of National Garden Gift Vouchers.

Judges were overwhelmed by the dramatic transformation, and thought the choice of wildflowers was inspired, as they thrive in poor soil where other plants would struggle.

They hailed it as an example of how gardening and community pride can completely rejuvenate an area.

Congratulations to everyone on That Bloomin’ Triangle!

See the 2014 Regional Winners and Special Category Winners.
October 13, 2014