Garden comes up roses for winners

Garden comes up roses for competition winners

Neighbours who won a national garden makeover competition unveiled their prize assets at a special opening event.

Residents at Fulmer Place, New Park Avenue, Bexhill-on-Sea,  won the £12,500 makeover in March as part of national competition, The Great Outdoors, organised by affordable housing provider Affinity Sutton, which has more than 5000 homes across Sussex.

They decided to plant apple, plum and cherry trees along with herbs and a magnolia tree on the site at the front of their four-storey block of flats after complaining that the 70ft grassed area was often targeted by trouble makers and attracted antisocial behaviour.

Now five months later they showcased their new look community garden at a special opening event on Friday 12 August, from 11am -2pm.

Neil McCall, Group Operations Director, for Affinity Sutton who will be officially handing over the garden said:  “The Blooming Spaces competition encouraged residents to transform neglected and unloved areas of land in their communities and transform them into vibrant spaces.  As a business for social purpose we are committed to investing in our communities and we are delighted to have supported residents here at Fulmer Place.” 

Affinity Sutton launched its Great Outdoors Campaign in 2010; a £50,000 initiative designed to encourage hundreds of residents to plant more than £18,500 bulbs to brighten up their estates.  As part of the campaign, residents were invited to enter a national competition to win a £12,500 kitchen garden makeover for an unloved or neglected site in their area that would benefit the community.

In transforming the garden Affinity Sutton and residents worked with a wide range of partners including Community Payback, contractors Rydon, Tate fencing, Chris Webb and St Peter & Paul Primary school.