Douglas Borough Council’s 2017 Douglas in Bloom competition has been hailed ‘one of the best’ by Regeneration and Community Committee Chair Councillor Stephen Pitts, (pictured below, front row).

Speaking at the Douglas in Bloom awards presentation held in Noble’s Park Pavilion, Councillor Pitts praised entrants for their hard work, patience and imagination which had led to him having the pleasure of judging some ‘truly fabulous entries’ with Assistant Head of Parks (Technical) Graham Newsome (pictured above, extreme right) over two and a half days.

Ahead of Her Worship the Mayor of Douglas Councillor Debbie Pitts JP presenting the awards Councillor Stephen Pitts urged more gardeners in the Borough to take part, saying: ‘There were many occasions during our judging tour when we saw a good number of gardens not entered that were most definitely of a Douglas in Bloom standard. The competition offers a wide range of categories from which to choose, so gives opportunities for gardeners of all abilities and with spaces large or small to showcase their skills.’

 Her Worship the Mayor Councillor Debbie Pitts and Councillor Stephen Pitts with Daniel, 10 and Maddie, six, Hall, representing Ballacottier Primary School

In closing he said: ‘I congratulate everyone who took the time to enter this year and thank them for helping to make Douglas a greener, more attractive town.’

First-place Douglas in Bloom winners were:

• Susan Dobinson, St Heliers: Hotels and Guesthouses without Gardens
• Paul Davies, Westminster Drive: Private Houses with Gardens
• Ballacottier Primary School: Public/Community Garden
• Shirley Dale, Barrule Road: Best Douglas Council Property
• Maureen Currer: Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity
• Eric Quine, Harcroft Avenue: Secret Garden
• Joseph Debman, Plot 51: Most Improved Allotment
• Michael McGarry, Plot 55: Most Productive Allotment.
• Ballacottier Primary School: Most Imaginative Floral Display.

Sponsors for Douglas in Bloom 2017 were:

• Gregory and Moore Logistics Training Services Ltd
• Sadler Agricultural Supplies Ltd
• Shoprite Isle of Man
• Strand Group
• Watsons Nurseries Ltd