Glorious gardens celebrated

BECCLES most attractive gardens were celebrated at a ceremony at the Town Hall as prizes in the garden competition were presented.

The garden of Anne Bonner at Mill Cottage in Ellough Road won the top award in the small garden category, with runners-up Mrs S Youngs, of Fairfax Court, and Mrs C Simpson, of South Road.

Mrs Bonner's courtyard style garden is full of colour, with fuchsias and rose arches prominent, and is a relaxing setting. It is compact and easy to manage.

In the larger garden category the winner was Kathy Jolley, of upper Grange Road, with Mrs P Spindler, of Rigbourne Hill, and Mrs J Cudlipp, of Ballygate as runners-up.

Mrs Jolley's is a large garden with a range of borders, lawn, shrubs and trees, as well as a pond - a garden to wander in and find something pleasing round every turn, and providing plenty of work for the keen gardener.

The prizes of garden tokens were provided by Lou Mills, of Mills and Groom Gardening Services of Beccles, while each entrant received a gift of a plant, thanks to the support of last year's mayor, Jeff Harris.

The awards were presented by the current Mayor, David Smith, following judging by John Foster, Judith Payne and Colleen Paterson.

Pride in Beccles chairman John Sigsworth said the whole aim of the competition was for people to encourage one another in celebrating the positive benefits of the whole town of bright, well managed gardens.

Following the additional Beccles town signs placed at Northgate and London Road, there are plans to provide another at the junction of Ellough Road and Lowestoft Road, while yet another, at George Westwood Way, is also being discussed. Anyone interest in the signs project can contact the Town Hall on 01502 712109.