Blooming marvellous tenants celebrate successful garden competition results

Published: 25 August 2026

Best new garden winners

Council tenants have been recognised for their impressive efforts in the annual Folkestone & Hythe District Council (F&HDC) gardening competition.

Despite the intense weather conditions this year, green fingered tenants and leaseholders in the district have braved the elements to tend to their gardens.

The event is run and managed by Strategic Tenant Advisory Panel members Gillian Jenkins and Gemma Atkins both of whom also judge the event.

An excellent range of gardens and outdoor spaces  were entered into the competition by F&HDC tenants and  judged earlier this summer, with winners receiving £60, and the runners-up in each category being awarded £40.

Thanks to sponsors Mears, Highview Homes, Cleanscapes and Grovewell Garden Centre who supported the competition.

Cllr Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said: “I am incredibly impressed with the hard work and dedication of the gardeners, especially given the tough weather conditions they’ve faced this year”.

“I would like to thank all the tenants who took the time to submit their entries, it has been fantastic to see the different ways their green spaces are nurtured and cared for throughout the district.”

The winners and runners-up are:

Best Front Garden: Eleanor Ashdown & Nick Brooks

Best Front Garden Runner Up: Tracey Goodchild

Best Community Garden: Sandy Bate, Churchill Court

Best Back Garden: Jean Monk

Best Back Garden Runner Up: Louise Long

Best Back Garden Runner Up: Mr & Mrs Horne

Best Pots & Containers: Dion Sessford

Best Pots & Containers Runner Up: Mr & Mrs Plummer

Best Pots & Containers Runner Up: Jean Monk

Best Communal Garden: Karen Piper, Bradfoord Court

Best Communal Garden  Runner Up: Lesley Manwaring & Debbie Whittaker, Bradfoord Court

Best Communal Garden Runner Up: Tina Greenland & Shirley Kane, Middelburg House

Best New Garden: Nick Brooks

Keren Belcourt Award: Terri Julians

Sue Willsher Award: Dion Sessford

You can find out more about the winners and their gardens on our website.