NEWENT’S supreme champion gardener for 2019 and winner of the Smiths Chartered Surveyors Perpetual Cup is Margaret Shayle.

“I just love gardening, it’s what I do all the time. I don’t know what I’d do without my garden” said Margaret.

Her small garden at her Glebe Road home ticks all the boxes and more to deserve such a high award, said a Newent in Bloom spokesperson.

“It has stunning colour, high quality planting for all year round interest, it is well cared for and very environmentally friendly,” they said.

Margaret’s garden has a birdbath, frogs, a regular visiting hedgehog which now has its own hog-box in a secluded corner, and the planting is deliberately designed to encourage pollinators.

Chief judge Ann Allen commented “Beautiful gardens can be appreciated by everyone walking Newent streets, improving our environment, our health and well-being.

“A total of 26 Golds for Newent. Another amazing collection of gardens, which are increasingly important in combating climate chaos.”

Other winners were Newent Town Council in the public/community effort category, for purchasing and planting new containers for the town streets.

The best commercial premises award was shared between The George Hotel and Steve Gooch Estate Agents.

Shirley House in High Street won the best courtyard or frontage category.

The awards were presented at the world famous Newent Onion Fayre last Saturday (September 14) in the Memorial Hall.

Prior to that, Newent Co-op staff members Steve Hughes and Alex Jones joined with Newent in Bloom volunteers to litter-pick the town’s car parks and footpaths in preparation for the town’s major annual event.

Newent in Bloom organises tidy-ups at different times of the year in conjunction with supporting businesses and local organisations.

“It was a pleasure to be asked to help,” said Alex from Manchester House Co-op in Broad St Newent.