John Schuster, Gardener of the Year receives his award from Cllr Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets
Individuals, community groups, schools, and organisations across Tower Hamlets have been recognised for their passion for making the borough a greener, brighter, and nicer place to live, to work and to visit.
Council leaders presented prizes and certificates at the Tower Hamlets in Bloom Awards 2024, which took place on 10 December at the Art Pavilion in Mile End Park.
The annual competition, which is part of the national In Bloom scheme, encourages more people to take an interest in horticulture and to develop a greater appreciation and respect for the natural environment.
Cllr Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “I am amazed at the high standards of all this year’s Tower Hamlets in Bloom entrants and participants. This annual event demonstrates how horticulture brings communities together and motivates us to make positive changes through environmental and community action.”
Award winners include Rocky Park Urban Growers and Cranbrook Community Garden who were presented joint first for the Best Community Growing site, their impressive array of plants, strong sense of community spirit, and their hard work and dedication.
Both groups transformed an under-used space into a thriving urban garden, offering people in the area the chance to connect with nature and learn about sustainable growing practices. Sprouting with produce, from seasonal vegetables to fragrant herbs and vibrant flowers, the garden has become a testament to the group’s knowledge and passion for horticulture.
Wapping resident John Schuster who was awarded Gardener of the Year, took on Wapping Wildlife Garden 11 years ago, when it was bare, and transformed the space into an urban forest glade and peaceful wooded garden with many plant species.
Now, the garden is full of wildlife, has a wildlife trail and an information tree for children.
With a winding path and benches, it has become a place of calm and respite for the public.
John also holds regular volunteering sessions, to help maintain the garden with residents, church groups, and corporate volunteers.
Sally Crane, who was named Overall Winner in the individual category for Best Front Garden, impressed the judges with the burst of colours in her beautiful front garden on the Isle of Dogs.
Judges said the selection of plants, from bold, statement flowers to delicate, subtle foliage, create a harmonious balance that cannot go missed. They praised Sally’s dedication to eco-friendly materials and water-efficient plants which make her garden, not just a visual masterpiece, but an environmentally conscious space as well.
Margaret Wilson, who in 2009 was instrumental in founding Approach Gardens in Bethnal Green, collected the lifetime achievement award.
When the gardens started, they were an unloved patch of green and rubble.
Margaret secured a grant from the council, and brought residents from her estate together to turn the space into a community garden where they could grow flowers and food.
Under Margaret's guidance and role as chairperson for over a decade, the previously neglected piece of land is described by fellow gardeners as much more than an allotment. It has become a place for the whole community to gather to share food at summer events, for wildlife to thrive in the pond, for fruit to grow on the trees, for wildflowers to bloom, and for local schools to enjoy educational activities.
Cllr Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, said: “Tower Hamlets in Bloom 2024 shows commitment across the borough not only to horticulture and the local environment, but also to taking pride in where we live. We are grateful to all those who generously give their time, energy and expertise, to positively change our open spaces into better and brighter places for everyone to enjoy.”
Applications for Tower Hamlets in Bloom 2025 competition are open, and judging will take place in summer when gardens, balconies and window boxes will be in full bloom.
Award winners:
Children’s Garden
Columbia Market Nursery School
Bygrove Primary School & Phoenix School
Bigland Primary School
Communal Residential Garden
Joint - Lady Micos Almshouses & Wollen House (Pat Quinn)
Sandhurst House Wolsey Street (P Moore, J. Aktar)
Joint – Emmott Close Day Centre / Emmott Close Nell Beatie & Peter Zitman
Community Garden
Russia Lane Day Centre – Deborah McDonald
John Schuster - Wapping Wildlife Garden
Bromley By Bow Centre – Adult Education
Community Growing Site
Joint - Cranbrook Community Garden / Rocky Park
Approach Gardens
Swedenborg Orchard (Geina Leontowitsch)
Education Establishment
St Mary & St Michael Catholic Primary School
Joint Lansbury Lawerence Primary School / Phoenix School
Joint - John Scurr Primary School & Elizabeth Selby Primary School
Best Balcony
Andrea Silva Goncalves
Juan Martin Garces
Joint - Kaniz Rimu / Sarah Dodd
Best Allotment
John and Helen Tarby
Richard Howard
Elias Miah
Front Garden
Sally Crane
Keeley Venebles
Joint – Gail Steves / Mitchell & Joanne Lee
Patio / Container Garden
Kate Kensit
Pam Holland
Joint – Carol & Keith Morton / Gillian Dolby
Wildlife - Single
Pat Rowe
Susan Caldwell
Joint - Gail Stevens & Vera Kitzler
Wildlife - Group
Approach Gardens
Joint - Cable Street Community Gardens / St Mary & Michael Catholic Primary School
Joint - Cranbrook Community Food Garden / Wapping Wildlife Garden (John Schuster)
Best Innovation
Wapping Wildlife Garden (John Schuster) – a plastic folder full of worksheets hanging from a tree for children to take on and fill it in as they walk round the garden. He’s now produced a complete nature pack for children with several worksheets, a pencil and magnifying glass included all in a smart folder.
Best Newcomer - Individual
Asma Begum
For encouraging nature and biodiversity within an urban environment. Asma demonstrates a real feel for all things green. Judges were highly impressed with her knowledge and love for Dahlia`s.
Best Newcomer – Group
Queen Mary University of London library garden (Stavros Fotiadis) – Wildlife Group
A lovely peaceful garden in the middle of the ever-busy Whitechapel area.
Contribution to London in Bloom
Rocky Park
Phoenix School
Canary Wharf PLC
Lady Micos Almshouses
Tower Hamlets Cemtery Park
Victoria Park
Outstanding Community Contribution
Recognition of Excellence Award
Judges' Choice
St Mary & St Michael Catholic Primary School
Overall, Winner – Individual
Sally Crane (Front Garden Winner)
Located on the Isle of Dogs, off of a quiet street, this winner isn't new to us. Another year they impressed the judges with a burst of summer colours maximizing every inch of their planters for simply a beautiful front garden. The selection of plants, from bold, statement flowers to delicate, subtle foliage, creates a harmonious balance that cannot go missed. Their dedication to eco-friendly materials and water-efficient plants, making this not just a visual masterpiece but an environmentally conscious space as well, and definite winner for the bees. Once again, the care and expertise of the gardener shine through, making this front garden a true standout.
Overall, Winner - Group
Rocky Park Growers (Community Growing Site)
The Rocky Park Urban Growers have cultivated not only an impressive array of plants but also a strong sense of community spirit. Through their hard work and dedication, they’ve transformed a once underutilized space into a thriving urban garden, offering locals the chance to connect with nature and learn about sustainable growing practices. From seasonal vegetables to fragrant herbs and vibrant flowers, the garden is a testament to their knowledge and passion for horticulture. This group’s commitment goes beyond just growing food – they’re fostering a deeper sense of belonging and environmental awareness among their neighbours.
Gardener of the Year Award
John Schuster – Vaughan Way
Lifetime Achievement Award
Margeret Wilson Approach Gardens
Posted on Wednesday 11th December 2024