READING in Bloom has celebrated its 50th anniversary and crowned this year’s winner’s at its annual awards ceremony.
The competition champions green spaces and flora around Reading and gives entrants the chance to showcase their gardening skills and support environmental causes.
The awards ceremony at Hilton Hotel on Saturday, welcomed RIB committee members, winners, special guests, and representatives from sponsors.
This year’s event was sponsored by Haslams Estate Agents, Top Cars, Reading Business Improvement District, AB Walkers, Oracle Shopping Centre, REDA, Cherubs Floral Design, Cream Design, and Hilton Hotel.
After a welcome speech from Jeanette Skeats, Chair of Reading Bloom, host Ady Williams began to name the winners and runners up for this year’s categories.
The bronze award for Front Garden (Over 12ft), sponsored by Haslams went to Neil & Jenny Caithness (Baker Street), with Silver going to Joanna Krupa and Kuba Stawiarski (Elmleigh Court)
The Gold award went to Guy Watt (Venetia Close)
For Front Garden (Under 12ft), sponsored by Haslams, the Bronze award went to Bart Golik (Fawley Road), with Silver going to Pat Britton (Ledbury Close).
The Gold award went to Angela Webber (Raglans Gardens).
For Most Attractive and Well-Maintained Allotment, sponsored by Cherubs Floral Design, the Silver award went to Malcolm Gaiter (Plot 16, Meadway Allotments), with Gold going to Denise & Mick Elton (Plot 57, Lower Southcote Allotments).
For Best Eco-Friendly Allotment, sponsored by Hilton Hotel, The Gold award went to Sally Ward (Plot 76, Scours Lane).
For Community Allotment, also sponsored by Hilton Hotel, The Gold award went to Katesgrove Community Garden.
In the Community Garden category, sponsored by The Oracle Shopping Centre, the Highly Commended award went to Southcote Grow Allot, with Bronze going to Holy Brook Nook, Silver to The Weller Centre, and the Gold award going to Erleigh Road Community Gardens.
For Pub Garden–Frontage, sponsored by Reading BID, the Bronze award went to Fox & Hounds Tilehurst, with Silver going to London Street Brasserie.
The Gold award went to The Griffin (Not Here).
For Pub Garden–Rear, also sponsored by Reading BID, the Highly Commended went to Royal Oak Tilehurst, with Bronze going to London Street Brasserie, Silver to Back of Beyond, and the Gold award going to The Griffin (Not Here).
For Hanging Baskets, sponsored by Top Cars, the Silver award went to Bob Gardiner (Grafton Road), with Gold going to Angela Pickard and Paul Smith (Peppard Road).
In the Container Garden category, sponsored by Top Cars, the Silver award went to Anthony Denness (Maker Close), with Gold going to Robert Murrant (Cardiff Road).
For Wellbeing Garden, sponsored by AB WALKERS, Highly Commended went to Erleigh Road Community Gardens, with Bronze going to The Well (Dawlish Road), Silver to Duchess of Kent Hospice, and the Gold award going to Oasis Wellbeing (Royal Berkshire Charity Hospital).
In Commercial (small), sponsored by Cream Designs, the Gold award went to Tilehurst Veterinary Centre, and in Commercial Large, sponsored by REDA, the Gold award went to Green Park.
The Bronze award for Best Maintained School Garden went to Wren School, with Silver going to Emmer Green Primary, and the Gold award to Geoffrey Field.
The Bronze in Best Eco-Friendly/Forest School went to The Hill, with Silver going to Emmer Green Primary and Gold to Micklands Primary.
At the event, the Chair of Reading Bloom, Jeanette Skeats, said: “This is something of a happy birthday for Reading in Bloom: 1975-2025.
“We received a record number of entrants, and as a committee we were delighted to see such an amazing response.
“For the first time in a long time we also welcomed entries from schools, and they have blown me away, with the enthusiasm from both pupils and teachers.
“It was infectious to see that level of interest.”
She also paid tribute to the committee for the support: “It takes a lot of commitment and time, which they do on a voluntary basis.
“Appreciation also goes to Marc Allridge, who continues to work very hard for Reading in Bloom.
“And the awards would not be possible without our sponsors–it’s not easy in this economic climate, but we believe in Reading in Bloom, and we hope to continue working with you all.
“We look forward to seeing you all next year.”
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