THE pick of the crop of our community’s gardeners have been recognised in the District in Bloom Awards 2011.

The annual St Albans council awards recognise the hard work of residents in improving the appearance of the district’s green spaces.

This year’s winners include Redbourn residents who won Best Parish in Bloom category and Stephen Brooks from Bricket Wood who took the award for Best Front Garden.

The judges included Andy Wight, pathway manager for horticulture and greenkeeping at Oaklands College, Isobel Barnes, the project leader for Waste Not Want Not, a horticultural enterprise which rescues plants from landfill, and Martin Finney, garden designer at Aylett Nurseries.

Each category winner received �50 of vouchers from Aylett Nurseries and a certificate at an awards ceremony held at Aylett Nurseries, St Albans.

Cllr Beric Read, portfolio holder for community engagement and localism said: “Congratulations to the award winners who have helped make the district look wonderful. I would like to thank all the residents, community groups and businesses who have taken part in this competition. Although they may not have all won an award in this competition, their hard work has helped the district win a number of accolades at this year’s Anglia in Bloom Awards, including Best City for St Albans.”

Deputy Mayor Cllr Geoff Harrison said: “This competition is a fantastic initiative which involves the entire community in helping to make the district more attractive. Thank you to everyone who has taken part.”

Sponsors of the awards include Aylett Nurseries and the Herts Advertiser, and other sponsors include car dealership Romans, Villa Plus, Hertfordshire County Council, Indos Computer Services, Fairweather Roofing, Sopwell House and bed retailer and manufacturer Warren Evans.

The winners of the District in Bloom Awards 2011 are:

Best Parish in Bloom

Redbourn Parish, Harpenden and Wheathampstead Parish – Joint winners

St Stephen’s Parish – Merit

Best School

Manland Primary School, Sauncey Avenue, Harpenden

Best Front Garden

Mr Stephen Brooks, Bricket Wood, St Albans

Mr Colin Branch, St Albans

Mrs J Symonds, London Colney

Best Senior Citizen’s Garden

1. Beryl Hopkins, Harpenden

2. Janet Trude, Harpenden

3. Mr and Mrs Crook, St Albans

Best Public House Rear Garden

Blacksmiths Arms, St Peter’s Street, St Albans

Best Sheltered Housing

Albany Gate, Belmont Hill, St Albans

Best Commercial Frontage

Harpenden Business Directory, High Street, Harpenden - Winner

Watermatic, Harper Lane, Radlett received a special mention

Best Allotment

Brenda and Brian Gilson, St Albans and Robert Tofts, St Albans – Joint winners

Dr Martin Keech, St Albans

Burydell Lane Allotment Association, Bricket Wood

Best Sustainable Garden

Peter Bloomfield and Janette Bradley, St Albans

Tessa Reason, Wheathampstead

June and Arthur Whetherly, St Albans