The Floral Guernsey community competition judging panel look over the gardens at Maison Collivet, St Peter Port. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0603290)
FLOWER experts are amazed at the high standard of Guernsey’s gardens. Two judges from the UK and two local judges are deciding on a winner of this year’s Floral Guernsey community competition.
The winning one will be eligible to represent the island in Britain in Bloom. London gardener Robert Player has been astounded by the local displays.
‘The ingenuity that we have seen has been superb, from footballs to Wellington boots, almost everything has been incorporated into the garden landscapes. The local people have been lovely, everyone has taken such pride in their work,’ he said.
The judges believe that the gardens will not only help brighten Guernsey, but also boost civic pride. ‘If an area is clean and tidy, it will stop people from littering and vandalising because they know that they are more likely to stand out when dropping rubbish in such pristine areas.’
Stephen Preston, also from London, was equally impressed with the amount of effort which had been put in.
‘The areas we are looking at aren’t just judged on the different flowers used, we like to see recycling and sustainability.
‘Gardens won’t be judged against each other. They are judged with a set criteria in mind. It would be nearly impossible to separate such a varied array,’ he said.
*The results will be announced at an awards ceremony on Saturday at Le Friquet Plant Centre.
Article posted on 9th July, 2008 - 11.30am
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