City gardeners are growing for gold! BIRMINGHAM IN BLOOM: Awards handed out to Brum's greenest fingers.Byline: Jasbir Authi TALENTED local gardeners who have brought a splash of colour to Birmingham received recognition at a special ceremony. Nearly a hundred council tenants and leaseholders gathered at the Council House yesterday for the eagerly awaited finals of Birmingham in Bloom 2009. Councillor John Lines and Elaine Elkington, strategic director for housing and constituencies, praised their efforts to turn their gardens, or balconies, into riots of colour. Historian Professor Carl Chinn Professor Carl Stephen Alfred Chinn MBE (born 6 September, 1956) is a historian, writer, radio presenter, magazine editor, newspaper columnist, media personality, local celebrity, and famous Brummie, whose working life has been devoted to the study and popularisation of the city of MBE MBE (in Britain) Member of the Order of the British Empire MBE n abbr (BRIT) (= Member of the Order of the British Empire) → tÃtulo ceremonial MBE n abbr (Brit) (= then presented both district and gold awards for best front garden, best rear garden, best baskets, pots or balcony and best communal garden A communal garden (often used in the plural as communal gardens) is a normally formal garden for shared use by a number of local residents. The term is especially used in the United Kingdom. The centre of many city squares and crescents (e.g. . Robert Smith Robert Smith, Bob Smith or Bobby Smith may refer to: Business
Mr Smith said: "I feel good. I'm constantly altering my front garden. "I get lots of pleasure from it and it's lovely to leave the house and see something nice straight away. "My garden also attracts lots of birds including woodpeckers and jays." Kevin Laidlaw, a 63-year-old retired roofing contractor, won gold for best rear garden, in Wakeman Grove, Yardley, which judges, who carried out their inspections in August, called "imaginatively landscaped". Mr Laidlaw said: "It's the first time I've entered and I'm over the moon. "I spend more time in the garden than in the house because I love the fresh air. "I get my ideas from my wife Christina, magazines or from what I see on holiday." Former interior designer Marguerite Llewellyn, aged 63, clinched gold in the best baskets, pots or balcony section, for the way she had used a wide variety of plants in a small space, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. judges. Mrs Llewellyn, of Holly Bank Road, Selly Oak, said: "My balcony is a small space but I like to see lots of colour and I make the most of it. "It brings wildlife and makes an attractive approach to the flats." Finally, Jean Hill, from Perry Barr, earned gold in the best communal garden section after judges were "impressed with the way she had used a wide range of plants together with bird boxes and ornaments". Coun Lines said: "The gardens are so impressive and people are so interested." OUR SAY: PAGE 18 CAPTION(S): Blooming lovely: Winners (above, from left) Robert Smith, Marguerite Llewellyn and Kevin Laidlaw; and (left) Mr Laidlaw and wife Christina in their garden. Pictures: Jon Fuller-Rowell |
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