Green fingers make us a greener town

A record number of entries were received for this year’s Cromer Green Spaces Wildlife Garden Competition. And it’s being seen as an encouraging sign that the importance of gardens for wildlife is being recognised.

The winners of the best wildlife gardens were presented with their prizes by Michael Gurney, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, at a ceremony at the Royal British Legion Halsey House.

He stressed the importance to mental wellbeing of being outside in nature.

The judges visited seven shortlisted gardens and, as comparing gardens of differing sizes is difficult, this year there awards for a large and a small garden, as even a tiny space can be a haven for insects, birds and small mammals.

The winners of the trophies were:

Large Garden – Malcolm and Liz Crane, whose “well-planned terraced garden … has developed into an excellent wildlife friendly space”.

Small Garden – Sue Dyke: her “corridor” garden of many potted plants, arranged along each side of a narrow concrete passageway, was “an impressive achievement”.

In addition to the trophies, the winners were presented with plaques in recognition of the creation of a special place for wildlife.

These were also presented retrospectively to previous winners.

There was a special mention for a garden entered by Cromer Academy, which has been awarded the status of an International Eco-School three years in a row.

Staff at Halsey House have also worked with Cromer Green Spaces to create a wildflower meadow and were presented with a plaque for their efforts.