6TH ANNUAL HFGF WINNERS ANNOUNCED Tuesday 17th December 2013
Leopold and Candia Richards are the overall winners of the 6th annual Homes, Families and Gardens Festival competition, organised by the Community Development Division in the Ministry of Social Transformation.
The couple from Old Road in the West Zone was presented with the winning trophy by Manager of the St John’s Cooperative Credit Union Jennifer Whyte during a ceremony held Thursday evening at the Multi-Purpose Cultural Centre.
The Credit Union donated the winning perpetual trophy and contributed $500 towards the overall winners which will start an account at the establishment. They also received a $500 gift voucher from the Antigua Home and Gardens Discount Centre.
The competition, judged in three categories - flower garden, fruit and vegetable garden and landscape and ornamental, spanned five zones throughout the twin-island state.
Winners in the fruit and vegetable segment were Ruby Lawrence from East Zone, Geraldine Bonnie from the South Zone, Birchfield Osbourne from the North Zone, Leopold and Candia Richards from West Zone and William Rose from Barbuda.
In the flower category, the winners were Geraldine Bonnie from South Zone, Marcia English from East Zone, Condace Farquar from North Zone, Leopold and Candia Richards from West Zone and Charlesworth Williams from Barbuda.
The Landscape winners were Elaine Knowles from East Zone, Condace Farquar from North Zone, Geraldine Bonnie from South Zone, Leopold and Candia Richards from West Zone and Charlesworth Williams from Barbuda. In the groups’ category, Jennings Secondary School and Hanna Thomas Hospital from Barbuda copped the top prizes.
According to Head Judge Carol-Fay Bynoe, the level of creativity among participants was outstanding. Noting a 12.5 percent increase in the number of entries from last year, Bynoe encourages individuals to continue striving for higher heights.
Meanwhile, Coordinator of the competition Valdrina Jackson thanked the various businesses and individuals who have contributed to the venture over the years and urges other establishments to be part of the community effort.
Director of the Community Development Division Brenda Thomas-Odlum is looking ahead to greater things. She is hoping Antigua and Barbuda’s best gardens can enter a regional competition in the future.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Social Transformation, Permanent Secretary Cecily Philip encourages the development of a plan to propel efforts to beautify Antigua and Barbuda with a commitment to create and nurture a clean and green environment.
Among the sponsors of the event are the Antigua and Barbuda Development Bank, which donated a cheque of two thousand dollars redeemable at Antigua Farm and Gardens Supplies and Cecil Charles, $2000 donated by the Environment Division redeemable at Kennedy’s Enterprises and $1000 donated by Community First Credit Union and Ornamental Concrete Products redeemable at Ornamental Concrete Products.
The other sponsors were Antigua Home and Garden Discount Centre, LICS ltd., Horizons, JCM Jewelers, Patsy Phillip, Blue Waters, Road House Restaurant, Laundry Express and Dry Cleaners, Courts, Antigua Computer Technology, Trade Winds Hotel, Premier Beverages and Alma Thibou.
The Homes, Families and Gardens Festival competition was held under the theme “Think beautification for the nation’s health and wealth”. Click here for all News and Specials for Antigua Barbuda Horticultural Society
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