PCP volunteer gardeners were celebrating this week having achieved the highest accolade at the recent Royal Horticultural Society and Northumbria in Bloom awards.
Britain in Bloom assessors deemed the community garden to be ‘Outstanding’ and ‘A fabulous hidden gem!’ in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category.
The Assessor stated: “This is a vibrant and productive garden space to aid recovery, promote learning and encourage volunteers to take a leading role. PCP meets the needs of the local community by hosting training sessions and there is a role for everyone.”
PCP chief executive Carol Gaskarth said: “Our gardeners give up their time freely and have created a very welcoming and accessible area for all to use.
“David Cockburn, Garden Volunteer and Trustee, has been instrumental in planning and improving the garden resulting in a beautiful space, which also has a real purpose; providing fruit and veg for the Garden Kitchen. David’s enthusiasm and drive, along with the commitment and skills of all of the volunteers, has resulted in significant progress over the past four years.
“We are very proud of the garden at the Pioneering Care Centre, there is a great community spirit and the volunteers are keen to learn and welcome new people.
“I am over the moon that their work has been recognised as Outstanding and would like to thank everyone involved for their continued support.”