Tenants and leaseholders recognised in annual garden and creative competitions
Council tenants and leaseholders from across Charnwood have been celebrating after winning awards over two annual competitions.
Charnwood Borough Council’s tenant garden competition attracted 36 entries this year, with awards handed out in 10 different categories, showcasing gardens of all shapes and sizes.
The creative competition returned for its third year and received 41 entries across five categories comprising photography, painting and drawing, arts and crafts, and creative writing.
The awards were handed out by the Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Colin Hamilton, during a special event at Loughborough Town Hall on 10 September.
All those who entered also received high street vouchers in recognition of their efforts.
The garden competition was judged by Councillor Jennifer Tillotson, the Council’s lead member for housing, economic development, regeneration and town centres, and Councillor Anne Gray, lead member for waste, open spaces and leisure facilities.
Cllr Tillotson, who also judged the creative competition, said: "It was wonderful to see so many tenants and leaseholders taking part in this year’s competitions and showcasing their talents, creativity and hard work.
"The garden competition highlighted the pride people take in their outdoor spaces. Cllr Gray and I were both so impressed with all the entries.
"The same goes for the creative competition, which once again produced a fantastic range of entries across all categories.
"Congratulations and thank you to all the winners and everyone who took part. The standard was extremely high, and these competitions are a great way to celebrate the skills, imagination and community spirit of our tenants and leaseholders."
The competitions are organised by the Council's customer engagement team to celebrate the talents of tenants and leaseholders, encourage community involvement and recognise the pride people take in their homes and neighbourhoods.
For more information about next year’s competitions, contact the customer engagement team on 01509 634679 or 01509 634955 or by emailing involvement@charnwood.gov.uk.
Here is a full list of the 2026 winners:
Tenant garden competition
Best House
First place – Mick Pipes
Second place – Debbie Newton
Third place – Donna Gudgeon
Best Flat/Use of Small Space
First place – Robert Kirk
Second place – Georgina Gebski
Third place – Derek Hay
Best Pots and Baskets
First place – June Letten
Second place – John Harrington
Third place – Kevin Curtis
Best Community Garden
First place – The Mills (Graham and Victoria Barradell)
Second place – Lacey Court – Ms E Nicholls
Third place – Chapman Street Garden Association (June Letten)
Best Sheltered Court
First place – St Paul’s Court (Steve Gamble)
Joint second place – Fielding Court (Phil Hudson)
Joint second place – Riversdale Court (Andy Sheppard)
Third place – 55 Durham Road
Best Fruit & Veg
First place – Donna Gudgeon
Second place – Lucy Pooley
Third place – Robert Kirk
Best Newcomer
First place – Ms E Nicholls
Joint second place – Debbie Melbourne
Joint second place – Doreen Glickman
Joint third place – Linda Freer
Joint third place – Pamela Franklin
Best Flower Display
First place – Kate Needham (Beresford Court Community)
Second place – Steve Gamble (St Paul’s Court)
Third place – Mr and Mrs Marshall
Best Eco Garden
First place – Lucy Pooley
Second place – Denise Dobbs
Third place – Janice Wright
Special Innovation Award
Mark Holland (Chapman Street Garden Association)
Creative competition
Arts & Crafts (over 18 years)
First place – Kate Needham
Runner-up – Dianne Coultas
Runer-up – Julie Keen
Photography (under 18 years)
First place – Archie Smith
Runner-up – Layla Ryan
Photography (over 18 years)
First place – Amanda Windsor
Runner-up – James Dougan
Creative writing (over 18 years)
First place – John Mason
Runner-up – Joan Gray
Painting (over 18 years)
First place – Abigail Milnsthrop
Runner-up – Michele Kirk
Runner-up – Paul Dexter
Charnwood Borough Council Published: Fri 11th September, 2026
