East Ayrshire’s garden competition is thriving in its 80th year with a record number of local amateur gardeners vying for the Best Garden title.

And at a special ceremony the Westfield Nursery Rose Bowl for the Best Overall Garden was presented to competition new comer, Mr Hogg of 37 Oakbank Drive, Cumnock.
Mr Hogg was recognised for his spectacular colours, clever planting and creative garden design.
The task of judging the best overall garden fell to Bruce Cuthbertson and Fran Milligan from the East Ayrshire Tenants’ and Residents’ Federation, while the four areas – Cumnock and Doon Valley, Kilmarnock Central and South, North West Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley and Ballochmyle – were judged by specialists from the Council’s Outdoor Amenities section with Housing Services.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: “The judges had a very difficult task selecting this year’s winners. There was a big increase in the number of entries and an increase in the number of competition new-comers; a fitting celebration of the competition’s 80th year.
“I was delighted to meet all the winners and congratulate them on their success. I was also delighted to offer congratulations to our most vibrant village, Sorn and our most vibrant community garden, Craigens Community Garden, Netherthird.”
Mr Hogg also received the Daily Record Cup for best private garden in Cumnock and Doon Valley.
The Daily Record Cup has been presented to winners since 1937 when the garden competition marked the coronation of The Queen’s father George VI.
The coronation was celebrated throughout Britain and photographs survive of King Street, Kilmarnock decorated with floral tributes and bunting.
The first winner of the Daily Record Cup was Alexander Able from 46 Culzean Crescent, Kilmarnock. Mr Able was a Police sergeant who moved from Police houses on Bank Street to Culzean Crescent on his retiral. Unfortunately there are no photographs of Mr Able’s garden but from the archives we believe that he was judged on practical planting, including vegetables, and floral displays.
Mr Able had a lucky escape in May 1941 when two homes next door to him were destroyed by enemy bombs during an air-raid. A German bomber returning from a raid on Clydebank dropped the last of its bombs at random killing four people who lived next door to Mr Able.
Councillor Reid added: “The story of the garden competition is rich and complex. Mr Able was the first ever winner and his story reflects the story of his time. Gardening was essential to families during the war years and provided much needed food and resources. The focus moved away from celebration and from making our towns and villages attractive to providing much needed sustenance.
“The garden competition has survived through periods of significant change for East Ayrshire and is still going strong today. I really admire the skill and commitment shown by our gardeners and their efforts to keep East Ayrshire clean, green and vibrant.”
EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL GARDEN COMPETITION 2017
BEST COUNCIL GARDEN, KILMARNOCK CENTRAL & SOUTH GEMMELLS NURSERIES CUP
Mrs Orr, 33 Commonhead Road, Kilmarnock
RUNNER-UP COUNCIL, KILMARNOCK CENTRAL & SOUTH
Mrs Burnett, 2 Springhill Gardens, Kilmarnock
BEST PRIVATE GARDEN, KILMARNOCK CENTRAL & SOUTH EAST AYRSHIRE CUP
Mr Lang, 5 Holmlea Place, Kilmarnock
RUNNER-UP PRIVATE KILMARNOCK CENTRAL & SOUTH
Mr Cox, 34 Campsie Road, Kilmarnock
BEST COUNCIL GARDEN IRVINE VALLEY & BALLOCHMYLE
Mr Paton, 8 Margaret Avenue, Galston
RUNNER-UP COUNCIL IRVINE VALLEY & BALLOCHMYLE
Mr Muir, 10 Lomond Avenue, Hurlford
BEST PRIVATE GARDEN IRVINE VALLEY & BALLOCHMYLE LAND ENGINEERING CUP
Mr Mitchell, 19 Maxwood Gardens, Hurlford
RUNNER-UP PRIVATE IRVINE VALLEY & BALLOCHMYLE
Mr Johnston, 52 Brewlands Street, Galston
BEST COUNCIL GARDEN, NORTHWEST KILMARNOCK FEDERATION CUP
Mrs McClue, 94 Altonhill Ave, Kilmarnock
RUNNER-UP COUNCIL NORTHWEST KILMARNOCK
Mr McIntosh, 65 Altonhill Ave, Kilmarnock
BEST PRIVATE GARDEN, NORTHWEST KILMARNOCK CBC Cup
Ms Sim, 16 Glen Ord Cres, Kilmarnock
RUNNER-UP PRIVATE NORTHWEST KILMARNOCK
Mr Laurie, 49 Redding Ave, Kilmarnock
BEST COUNCIL GARDEN CUMNOCK & DOON VALLEY Abie Paton Memorial Award
Mr Campbell, 25 Watson Terrace, Drongan
RUNNER-UP COUNCIL CUMNOCK & DOON VALLEY Mr McMinn, 28B Back Rogerton Crescent, Auchinleck
BEST PRIVATE GARDEN CUMNOCK & DOON VALLEY DAILY RECORD CUP
Mr Hogg, 37 Oakbank Drive, Cumnock
RUNNER-UP PRIVATE CUMNOCK & DOON VALLEY
Mrs Weir, 22 Glasgow Road, Muirkirk
BEST VEGETABLE GARDEN
Mr & Mrs Lindsay, 40 Carnshalloch Ave, Patna
BEST HANGING BASKETS & PLANTERS
Mr Frew, 11 Laurieland Ave, Crosshouse
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Mrs Ferguson, 15 Crofthead Ave, Kilmarnock
BEST NEWCOMER
Mrs McLean, 100 Main Road, Fenwick
OVERALL WINNER WESTFIELD NURSERY ROSE BOWL and DAILY RECORD CUP
Mr Hogg, 37 Oakbank Drive, Cumnock
CLEANER GREENER MOST VIBRANT VILLAGE
Sorn
CLEANER GREENER MOST VIBRANT COMMUNITY GARDEN
Craigens Community Garden, Netherthird