THE community garden at St Mark’s Church, Mansfield, has been ranked outstanding in the Royal Horticultural Society’s It’s Your Neighbourhood awards

The Green and Wild group, formed at the church less than two years ago, has now won three awards.

The RHS praised the garden’s development of the borders, bug hotels, and a healthy budget from the sale of produce.
Jeff Bates, RHS assessor, said: “The transformation has been remarkable. The group has expanded.”

Isobel Bounford, an organiser and keen gardener, was invited with fellow gardener Sheila Shorthouse, pictured, to receive the award from an RHS representative.

She said: “The recognition of our efforts by the RHS assessors and the opportunity to hear about other inspiring community gardening projects has given us a huge boost.

“Congratulations to everyone who has contributed in any way to the garden.”
The Rev Keith Hebden, whose vicarage garden has been given over to the project along with church grounds, said: “This project has been supported by the whole church, with a small team doing the grafting.

“We’re growing a community as well as plants. It feels great.”