Gardening award

St Mark’s Church gardening group Green and Wild has been presented with an Outstanding award for its horticultural efforts.

The Mansfield church group has only been together for two years but has already picked up three awards including last week’s from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for its borders, bug hotels, and a healthy budget from the sale of produce.

Jeff Bates, RHS assessor said in his report: “The transformation has been remarkable. The group has expanded and it was lovely to meet more volunteers”.

Isobel Bounford, an organiser and keen gardener was invited with fellow gardener Sheila

Shorthouse, to receive the award. She said, “We couldn’t believe it when we were awarded an

“Outstanding”! The recognition of our efforts by the RHS assessors and the opportunity to hear

about other inspiring community gardening projects has given us a huge boost. Congratulations to

everyone who has contributed in any way to St Mark’s Community Garden and looking forward to

another year of growth.”

Keith Hebden, whose vicarage garden has been given over to the project – along with church grounds

– said, “This project has been supported by the whole church, with a small team doing the grafting,

but the biggest contribution has been from nature: we’ve had all sorts of surprises with the wild flower

meadow. We’re growing community as well as plants and it feels great.”

Where: St Mark’s Church Yard and Community Garden

What: RHS “It’s Your Neighbourhood” Award: Level 5 “Outstanding”

Who: St Mark’s Green and Wild group.

Contact: Keith Hebden 01623 628067

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