News from the gardening world
East Yorkshire prison scoops top award for first time
It was third time lucky for a team of green-fingered prisoners from HM Prison Hull after they were awarded the top prize in a national competition. Eighteen prisons battled it out in the hotly contested competition, but the 20-strong Hull team triumphed by winning the Windlesham Trophy, awarded by the RHS for the best kept prison garden in England and Wales. The team had won the freshers’ category in 2016, and were joint runners-up in 2017.
The grounds contain wildflower areas, wildlife areas, a memorial garden for staff and a colourful display of 10,000 bedding plants to welcome visitors.
Fresh produce is harvested each week from the veg plots for the prison kitchen, with any surplus donated to a local food bank. Bird boxes made by prisoners have been distributed to local schools.
The prison uses the garden rehabilitatioforforprisonerrehabilitation and training, with many inmates achieving formal qualifications and supporting the local community.
“Their attention to detail was instantly obvious, with consistently high standards met across all areas of the garden,” said RHS judge Robert Haslam. “The wonderful spirit displayed from management through to the prisoners was incredible.”
Other shortlisted gardens in the annual competition were HMP Dartmoor, Devon, HMP Preston and HMP Wymott, both in Lancashire.