SOUTHAMPTON'S top gardeners were declared blooming marvellous at an awards ceremony in the city's Guildhall.

More than 40 individuals and groups collected silverware and certificates as the annual Southampton in Bloom competition drew to a close. There were 12 categories spanning the full range of horticultural activity from tub and window box care to allotment husbandry.

Mayor Derek Burke presented awards for private gardens, sheltered housing, hotels and guest houses, pubs and public buildings.

The placings in each section were announced by Neville Yeates, chairman of the Southampton in Bloom committee.

The main winners were:

Private Garden - 1 K Liles (Shirley), 2 Mrs Parker (Bitterne), 2 Roy Taylor (Peartree), 3 Robert Cleverley (Sholing); Sheltered Housing Street/ Community Centre - 1 Holly Lodge (St Denys), 2 Biddlesgate and Postern Ct (City Centre), 2 Teme Road (Redbridge); Individual Garden in Sheltered Garden - 1 M Cottell (Shirley), 2 W Warman (Sholing), 3 M Saich (Shirley) Balcony - 1 M Saich (Shirley), 1 J Teacher (Millbrook), 2 R and S Merritt (Bassett), 2 Mr Thorpe (Bassett), 2 Mr and Mrs Webb (Weston); Window Box - 1 Roy Taylor (Peartree), 2 A Parker (Bitterne), 3 Robert Cleverley (Sholing); Tubs or other containers - 1 Eric Brindle (Bitterne), 2 Malcolm Hoskins (Shirley), 2 Margaret Salter (Shirley), 3 A Parker (Bitterne), 3 Roy Taylor (Peartree); Hanging Basket - 1 Edward Kavanagh (Redbridge), 2 Roy Taylor (Peartree), 3 Lindsay Jones (Bitterne); Commercial/Guest House/Hotel/ Shop etc - 1 Atherley Bowling Club (Shirley), 2 Mayview Guest House (The Polygon), 3 Grenvill House (City Centre), 3 Southern Finance (Shirley); Public House - 1 The Ice House (Shirley Warren), 1 The Anchor (Redbridge), 2 The Cowherds (The Avenue); Public Building - 1 Christ Church (Freemantle), 2 Ronald Pavey (Shirley), 3 Redbridge Fire Station (Redbridge); Allotments - 1 Edna Jones (Woolston), 2 F Brambley (Shirley), 3 R Garrett (Southampton); Wildlife Garden - 1 Sarah Wood (Shirley), 2 Ian Dunne (Maybush).

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