31 October 2005

Local people, businesses and partner organisations received special achievement awards for their outstanding efforts in this year’s Lewisham in Bloom campaign.

Councillor Andrew Brown, Cabinet Member for the Environment, who presented the awards at a ceremony held in the Town Hall, Catford, paid tribute to everyone who took part. He said: “This year’s efforts were bigger and better than ever before. The sheer number of people participating this year and the quality of their work really helped show the London in Bloom judges that Lewisham is going from strength to strength.”

Lewisham scooped a Silver Gilt award at this year’s prestigious London in Bloom ceremony – only three other boroughs, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond and Bromley received this award. Community involvement is an important part of the judging process.

Andrew added: “Let’s not get complacent though. We want to do even better next year!”

Judging for Lewisham In Bloom took place in the first two weeks of July – the judging panels praised the high standard of all the entries.

The winners of the first prizes in each of the Lewisham in Bloom categories are:

Large residential front gardens:
Mr T Minter, Sydenham, SE26
Small residential front gardens:
Mr J Golding, Forest Hill, SE23 2RN
Planters:
Mr J Hodgson, Downham, BR1 5PR
Schools:
Our Lady of Lourdes, Lewisham SE13 5DZ
Commercial:
Cinderford Way, Downham, BR1 5BR (communal area)
Allotment site:
Chinbrook Meadows
The overall winner of the Frank Mason Lewisham in Bloom Cup was Mr T Minter, Sydenham, SE26.

A special award was presented to Ms C Cleary and family of Catford, SE6, in celebration of her father’s outstanding contribution to Lewisham in Bloom over the years. Mr M Cleary, who won first prize in the large front garden category many times, sadly passed away earlier in the year.