Newent’s Supreme Champion Gardener for 2019 and winner of the Smiths Chartered Surveyors Perpetual Cup has been revealed.

Every year, Newent in Bloom judges local gardens where that little bit of extra effort has been made.

But the delighted winner, Margaret Shayle of Glebe Road , is being rather modest about her green-fingered and gold medal success.

She said: “I just love gardening, it’s what I do all the time.

"I don’t know what I’d do without my garden”.

But Newent in Bloom's chief judge, Ann Allen said: "This small garden ticks all the boxes and more to deserve such a high award. It has stunning colour, high quality planting for all year round interest, it is well cared for and very environmentally friendly.

"Margaret’s garden has a birdbath, frogs, a regular visiting hedgehog which now has its own hog-box in a secluded corner, and the planting is deliberately designed to encourage pollinators."

She added: “Beautiful gardens can be appreciated by everyone walking Newent streets, improving our environment, our health and well-being.

"We have seen another amazing collection of gardens, which are increasingly important in combating climate chaos.”

Other winners this year are Newent Town Council in the public/community effort category, "for purchasing and planting new containers for the town streets".

The best commercial premises award was shared between The George Hotel and Steve Gooch Estate Agents. Shirley House in High Street won the best courtyard or frontage category.

Local people won't have to wait long to hear more about Newent's love affair with the garden.

The awards will be presented at the world famous Newent Onion Fayre this Saturday September 14, at 4pm, in the Memorial Hall.

The Fayre is expected to attract up to 12,000 people.