8:10am Thursday 9th September 2010
A group of tireless and talented Raynes Park gardeners have won the award for the allotments in London.
Judges from the London in Bloom competition awarded first prise to the Paddock allotments in Heath Drive - overwhelmed by not just the quality of plots, but the lengths taken to build a green-fingered community.
A gardening group based on the allotments has more than 400 members, in addition to the plot owners, that regularly help tend to the grounds.
Such is the interest, a shop selling gardening equipment and a cafe is thriving as it caters for Raynes Park’s growing appetite for sustainable living.
Chairwoman of the Paddock Horticultural Society, Jean Hancock, said: “It’s fantastic and we can’t quite believe it. A small group of us went to the Guildhall in the city on Friday for the London in Bloom reception.
“When the Lord Mayor of London said we had won the best allotment award, we could hardly believe it. I suppose the judges were impressed by the shop and the number of members we have.
“But we also try to keep the place looking as tidy as we can and do our best to recycle.”
Merton was also recognised at the event, coming third of all London boroughs in the biodiversity category.
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