Green-fingered tenants win gardening prizes

Two years after she and her husband Craig became the first family to qualify for a home thanks to a new partnership between the council and the Veterans Housing Scotland charity, Yvonne Pugh has scooped a top prize for transforming the garden. 

Triple the talent

Yvonne, who lives with Craig in a council house on Cuiken Avenue, Penicuik was one of three first prize winners of our Tenants’ Gardening Competition. 

East, West and sunflower winners

While Yvonne was the overall winner of Best Garden for Midlothian West, Jack Lane, of Newbyres Crescent, Gorebridge, pictured below with Cllr Stuart McKenzie, took the title for Midlothian East.  

A gardening great

Meanwhile Cuiken Primary P3 pupil Lily Dutton and her green fingers won the top prize in the under 15s Best Sunflower category for her 1.26 metre bloom.  Overall second prize in the Tenants’ Gardening competition went to Dianne Moffett. 

Here is Lily below.

Well done everyone

Provost Debbi McCall and Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Stuart McKenzie, congratulated the winners, including Yvonne Pugh, pictured at the top of the page. 

Love and care

Provost McCall said: “It’s been wonderful seeing and hearing about the love and care that our tenants put into their gardens. 

Bursts of colour

“Well done and many thanks to everyone who entered, including our fantastic winners, whose gardens are awash with colour.” 

Gift voucher prizes

Yvonne and Jack each win a £25 gift voucher for Dobbies garden centre while Lily and Dianne get a £15 voucher for Dobbies.  

A peaceful spot

Jack’s wife Rachel, who is having their third child, nominated him for creating a modern and peaceful garden from the ground up. It now boasts a bit of everything, from herbs, fruits, perennials, annuals and trees, she said adding; “Jack has a full-time job and we have two children so gardening time for him is rare but when he is in the garden is when he is most at peace.”  

Eco-friendly

Cllr McKenzie shared Rachel’s enthusiasm for Jack’s garden. He said: “The level of detail in it is amazing, not to mention its green credentials. It’s great to look at and there are even attractions like an insect hotel. Well done Jack, you are a worthy winner.” 

Putting down roots

Midlothian West winner Yvonne said, having rented privately for ten years, it was a joy to feel settled and secure enough in their home to be able to transform the garden. 

Big surprise

She said: “I was really surprised to win but I love the garden. There was really nothing here before but grass, not even a fence. But now when people are walking past, they stop and admire it and say how lovely it is.” 

Great outcome

Provost McCall said: “We’re delighted our joint initiative with Veterans Housing Scotland has allowed Yvonne and Craig to put down roots – quite literally.” 

Notes: 

Midlothian Council was the first housing organisation in Scotland to sign up as a partner agency with Veterans Housing Scotland, in support of its new campaign to provide 25 more homes for disabled veterans across the country. 

The council allocates and maintain two properties a year for nominated disabled veterans and their families.  

Veterans Housing Scotland will look after the wellbeing needs of the tenants.