VIDEO: Green-fingered duo triumph at awards

Malcolm and Valerie Abrey have won two categories in the Garden of the Year 2013 competition.

They pair, who live in The Knolls in Beeston, won the Best Small Front Garden and the Best Large Back Garden categories.

Valerie said: “We have lived here for just under 13 years and we’ve gradually done the gardens. The front garden is a mixture of shrubs, roses and perennials.

“I did the back garden on a colour wheel initially to get every colour in but over the years other colours have slipped into the wrong places. There is a pond with a waterfall feature using 
green slate from the Lake District.”

There have only been minor changes in the garden since last year. Valerie follows in her grandfather’s footsteps with her love of gardens.

The gardens are a joint effort with Malcolm taking on the lawns and the heavy lifting.

Valerie, who particularly loves lilies, added: “The gardens look good all year round. There were 15 things in flower in late February. Every bit of garden’s got four sets of planting.”

Roses and clematis flowers are adding colour to the garden at the moment.

Garden of the Year is sponsored by the Biggleswade Chronicle, the Bedfordshire Times and Citizen and Frosts in Willington.

Judges Maurice Rust and James Allen viewed 45 gardens in early July.

The winners will be given Frosts vouchers. Presentations will be made at an awards ceremony in September where the overall Garden Of The Year will be announced.