Pylle Hill view

A Denman's Garden

Mrs Thompson's Garden

Mr Wilson's Garden

H Varley's Garden

B & V Eastell's Garden

Belly Dancers

Street Dancers

Totterdown Garden Festival

15, 16 July 2006

Report by Suzanne Audrey

The inaugural garden festival enjoyed stunning weather over the entire weekend. For gardens large, small or even the size of a hanging basket this event combined competition, fayre and street entertainment to liven up a midsummer weekend.

Bulky waste clearance

In preparation for the front garden festival 'Clean and Green' were out and about on Saturday 8th July removing old fridges and assorted rubbish from more than 20 front gardens in the area. The council gave great support in preparing for the event.

Front garden competition

On Saturday 15th July the judges spent a few hours in the sunshine, viewing and deliberating over the entrants' gardens. They were delighted at the high standard. Prizes were awarded for the following categories

  1. Creative use of your front garden for storage (bins, bikes etc)
    Winner: A Denman, Stevens Crescent
  2. Window boxes and hanging baskets
    Winner: Mrs P Thompson, Stevens Crescent
  3. Most spectacular single plant
    Winner: Mr Wilson, Upper St
  4. Creative hard landscaping (sculpture, tiles etc)
    Winner: H Varley, Oxford St
  5. Overall use of plants
    Winner: B & T Eastell, Richmond St

The five winners each received a certificate and a Focus advantage card. A further seven gardens were highly commended by the judges.

Litter picking

Meanwhile, intrepid TRESA members went litter picking in central Totterdown. Zone N, the green in front of the YMCA building, was tidied up in time for the Sunday market. Copious amounts of litter were also removed from the green in front of Barrington Court and the area surrounding Oxford Street shops. Thank you to everyone who stopped to say 'Well done!'

Garden market

The Sunday market was a great success. Stalls included flowers for sale or to swap, pots, books (£50 was raised for Oxfam), garden ideas, TRESA membership and information, children's games, and cold drinks. Entertainment included children's story telling, face painting, street dance and belly dancing.

See you next year?

The front garden festival was such a success that we definitely intend to do it again next year - see you there!