A heatwave did nothing to dent the enthusiam of Thornton Heath gardeners entering this year’s third in Bloom competition.

Organised by Thornton Heath Action Team the competition saw even more entries than in previous years.

The packed award ceremony at Age UK saw participants turn out in eager expectation to see if they had won. Certificates and trophies were handed out by Deputy Mayor Humayun Kabir with gardens judged on kerb appeal, effort, design, biodiversity and colour.

For the second year running Mary Cunliffe, topped the poll with an amazing mix of plants which seriously impressed the judge Andrea Perry of Polly’s Perennials especially has Mary admitted to spending five hours watering a day!

The stand out colour for this year’s in Bloom was pink and while the competition was very tight in most sections Neil Powney’s, beautifully designed Colliers Water Lane garden was a clear winner.

Wilsons Garage was also a throughly deserved victor. For the first year there was a section for children and it was the Nwosu children and their sunflowers which caught the judge’s eye.

Prizes were donated by local businesses and artists including: PINS, Samantha Warren, Fireway Pizza, Tomatino’s and Taperia at The Pond plus vouchers from Homebase and a year’s free garden waste collection from Croydon Council. The People’s Health Trust funded publicity and refreshments.

Following the Thornton Heath in Bloom competition, Thirsk Road decided to run its own competition with  residents planting out window boxes and pots.

The Street Action Project, funded by the Peoples Health Trust and administered by the Thornton Heath Community Action Team, funded first, second and third prizes.