Rose is a blooming wonderful neighbour
A MOTHER of six who grows enough fruit to feed her family and her neighbours has wrapped her green fingers around first prize in the 2010 Camden in Bloom competition.
Kentish Town resident Rosemary Leech won best front garden as the winners of all nine categories in Camden in Bloom were announced last week.
The first-time entrant, of Castle Place, said: "I really can't get over it. I was so excited collecting my award that my legs were shaking!"
The community-spirited gardener grows so much produce that sometimes she fills up plastic bags and leaves them on the railings for her neighbours to take.
She added: "My neighbours love how my garden brightens up the neighbourhood and everyone's been round this week to congratulate me, so I've been thanking them with pears and cherries from the garden.
"I'm delighted to win and will definitely enter next year's Camden in Bloom."
Meanwhile Torriano Junior School, in Torriano Avenue, Kentish Town, was deemed best outdoor learning environment after winning second-place last time round.
Headteacher Bavaani Nanthabalan said: "We are delighted to have won yet again. It's a good thing because it involved the whole school. We have an exceptional gardener, Jo Reuben, who also won the outstanding individual category, and she has worked closely with the children so every class has its own vegetable patch. The children grow fruit and vegetables and water and nurture the plants themselves, and we also try to link in the growing with the curriculum."
The annual competition celebrates the horticultural efforts of residents, schools and businesses and how they help to make Camden a brighter borough, with categories including best street, best balcony and best business entrance.
The appropriately-named Councillor Tulip Siddiq, cabinet member for culture, said: "I was thrilled to see so many beautiful gardens and green spaces, and had a hard time choosing the winners. It's fantastic to see how many residents take such pride in their local area." Winners received a trophy, certificate and vouchers for the Camden Garden Centre - and some will go on to represent the borough in the forthcoming London in Bloom competition.
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