DORSET'S most wildlife friendly gardens were celebrated at the annual Wildlife Friendly Gardening Awards.
Dorset Wildlife Trust's event, held at Castle Gardens in Sherborne and sponsored by The Gardens Group, saw 43 entries this year, from schools to visitor centres to tourist attractions around the county.
A new category was added in 2016 for rented accommodation, to promote the idea that everyone can provide a more welcoming habitat for wildlife, without necessarily making structural changes to the garden.
Before the awards were announced, British bat expert, Nick Tomlinson, conservation officer at Somerset Wildlife Trust, gave a talk about the importance of bats and their role in garden biodiversity. With Dorset home to 16 species, it is the most diverse county in the UK for bats, so Nick provided some useful advice and tips on how to give bats the best welcome and look after them in the garden.
Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, said: “Each year the bar is raised and the entrants into the competition get more creative and sophisticated in their efforts to provide vital corridors for our wildlife. It is an absolute pleasure for me to visit these gardens during the judging process and see what a difference these wonderful havens are making to the county’s wildlife.”
Awards were handed to large gardens, small gardens, gardens in rented accommodation and community gardens.
First place for the Large Garden Award was handed to Hugh Miles from Corfe Mullen; Bernard Sullivan from Bourton was handed first prize for the Medium Garden Award; Lyn Parson from Bournemouth received first prize for the Small Gardens Award; Gardens in Rented Accommodation Award saw Sarah Jane Buckle from Poole receive first prize and Smiley Faces Preschool in Southwell, Portland received first prize for the Community Gardens Award.
To see a full list of winners or to find out more about Dorset Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Friendly Garden scheme visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/Dorsets-gardens-celebrated
CONTACT ME:
t: 01305 756032
e: meghan.hindley
@dorsetecho.co.uk
twitter: @DorsetEchoMeg
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here