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Press Release |
Ref:PRSH247
Date: 20thAugust 2018
Young gardeners recognised with awards
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The efforts of two young people to help others and improve the environment have been recognised by Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH).
Alisha Robinson (12) and Jake Rock (16) were named as the joint winners in the Young Gardener category during the housing association's ever-popular Gardens Competition.
During a blistering summer, judges have been visiting private and communal gardens to find the hidden talents of SARH customers when it comes to creating fantastic spaces to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
For Elisha this has involved spending hours of her spare time transforming a paved communal courtyard into a little oasis of potted plants and flowers at her grandmother's home, a SARH Independent Living Scheme in Stafford.
Meanwhile Jake has been growing his own fruit and vegetables on an allotment plot in Stone as part of the acclaimed Growing Health project, managed by SARH in partnership with the Borough Council.
No stranger to awards success, Jake has previously won the award alongside his brother, Dennis but says he was still surprised to be amongst this year's winners.
"With all the dry weather it's been hard work on the allotment keeping everything watered. As a result we've not done so well with vegetables such as runner beans but we're looking forward to a bumper crop of pumpkins!" he explained.
First-time winner Alisha discovered her green fingers when she volunteered to help her grandmother tidy up a courtyard at Hall Close where she's installed and tended a beautiful selection of pots and hanging baskets containing colourful flowers and plants.
Her mum, Tammy, commented: "The award has come as a big surprise and it reflects how the resident's appreciate Alisha's efforts. We are all very proud of her."
The accolades were presented during a special event at the housing association's headquarters in Parker Court, Stafford and the Mayor of Stafford Borough, Cllr Ray Barron and Stone Mayor, CllrKristan Green, were on hand to congratulate award winners.
Guests at the event also enjoyed a talk by Hayley Mival from the National Trust who gave an insight into the history of one of the area's most history buildings, Shugborough Hall, and its gardens.
Other awards presented on the day included:
- Best Lawn - Mr Hendrie, Hixon
- Best Front Garden - Mr and Mrs Murfin, Great Haywood
- Best Back Garden - Steve Jarratt, Stafford
- Best Wildlife/Eco Garden - St George's Road residents
- Most Creative Use of Space - James Brown, Barlaston
- Best Allotment Plot/Veg Garden - Michelle Matthias from Brookhouse Drive Allotment.
- Shirley Wheat Award for Best Communal Garden - Lichfield Court, Stafford
- Community Gardener of the Year - Steve Jarratt, Stafford
Introducing the awards, and quoting actress Penelope Keith, SARH Chief Executive Karen Armitage said she believed that planning a garden was really planning for future generations, as many of the features will outlive us.
"I'm delighted that so many SARH customers are represented here at the awards and I'm sure future generations will enjoy their efforts as well as those already benefitting from the hard work and skill of everyone who entered," added Karen, who also wrote a poem to celebrate the occasion, which can be viewed atwww.sarh.co.uk.
Caption: Jake Rock andAlisha Robinson receive their awards, with (from left to right): Stone Mayor's ConsortCllr Mark Green;Stone Mayor, CllrKristan Green;SARH Chief Executive Karen Armitage; Mayor of Stafford Borough, Cllr Ray Barron and Mayoress Cllr Jenny Barron.
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About Stafford and Rural Homes
Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) is the largest social landlord in Stafford with around 6,000 homes across Stafford, Stone and the rural villages across the Borough. Established in 2006 to own and manage the former Stafford Borough Council housing stock, SARHset up a trading subsidiary company Housing Worx, to deliver planned maintenance works to its properties and fulfil commercial contracts in 2012. SARHalso offers 18 Independent Living schemes for people aged over 55 andan award winning Telecare home safety and personal security system for the elderly and vulnerable.SARH has invested more than £100 million on improvement and regeneration programmes and building over 500 high quality new homes for rent and shared ownership which have benefited SARH customers by improving neighbourhoods and creating job opportunities for local people. The housing association works in partnership with local authorities, health trusts, statutory bodies and a range of voluntary organisations to create safe, sustainable communities where residents can ‘Live, Work and Grow'.
Follow SARH on Twitter@SARHomes
Media contact:
Martin Farrow
CHANGEWORKS Communications
t: + 44 (0) 1785 247588
m: +44 (0)7771 970025
e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk
Stafford and Rural Homes contact:
Mara Hargreaves
Marketing Manager
t:01785 216793 (Direct)
m:07800 619 863 (Mobile)