Havering residents excel at the London in Bloom competition.

Green-fingered Havering residents have donned their gardening gloves once again for this year’s Havering in Bloom competition.

The Council received over 100 entries from gardening enthusiasts across the borough, in the toughest competition judges have seen since the annual event began. 

Entries included beautiful, scenic communal gardens, colourful flowerbeds and hanging baskets. Meanwhile, a 16-foot tall sunflower from four-year-old Jessica Primrose Reynolds, won the tallest sunflower category by a full 60 inches.

Finalists came together for a special ceremony last Friday (23 September) at Havering Town Hall, Romford, hosted by the Mayor of Havering, Councillor Trevor McKeever.

All finalists and winners received certificates, as well as gift vouchers for B&Q, kindly donated by Home Counties Play, Gate Craft Fencing, and Marsh Services.

The winners of this year’s competition were:

• Best Back Garden – Lily Crosby of Osbourne Road
• Best Front Garden – Parminder Singh of Harrier Close
• Best Communal Garden – Residents of Fambridge Court, Romford
• Best School Display – Drapers Academy
• Tallest Sunflower – Jessica Primrose Reynolds of Eastern Road, measuring 192 inches.

Councillor Trevor McKeever, Mayor of Havering, said:

“It seems that every year we get more and more wonderful entries to this competition, demonstrating how creative and green-fingered the people of Havering can be.

“I’m lucky if I can grow a 2-inch dandelion, so it’s great to know we have so many locals who are able to do their bit to brighten up the borough. I look forward to seeing next year’s entries.”

A full list of winners and finalists can be found on the Havering Council website, along with photographs of the winning displays.