The decision of two landlords to splash out £30,000 on a pub garden and a group of infants were both rewarded in this year’s Redbridge in Bloom competition.
The winners for all six categories came from the south-west of the borough, maintaining the excellent standard of the event, now in its 50th year.
Andrew Zacharia and Scott Randall - owners of the Travellers Friend Pub in Woodford Green - won the best public house display last week.
Mr Randall said workers took just eight weeks to build from scratch the garden at the pub in High Road.
He said: “The garden looks brilliant at night with all the lighting - really stunning.
“We designed it all - a lot of thought went into it.”
The perceptive pair have been running the pub full-time since January.
Mr Randall said a decision was made to enhance the outdoor area because families enjoying bringing their children to the pub.
“We wanted to make it safe, family environment so people could enjoy the weather,” he added.
Parkhill Infants’ School, of Lord Avenue, Clayhall, has been running a garden club which youngsters from Year 1, reception and nursery all participate in.
Teacher Susan Turner has been garden club leader for six years since it started.
She said: “Every week throughout the year we do planting, weeding and watering - the reception children help with the watering.
“The gardens are spaced out across the school. The children really enjoy being outside and it is part of their national science curriculum.
“Gardening is beneficial because it helps their learning.”
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