Gardening enthusiasts packed out a mayor's office for an awards ceremony.
The green-fingered gardeners turned up to receive their gongs for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Basingstoke in Bloom competition.
The contest aims to encourage borough residents to take pride in their environment by sprucing up their gardens and public spaces.
Mayor Keith Chapman announced the winners for seven categories of awards.
Councillor Chapman, said: “The awards help make Basingstoke a better place to live. It lets the residents create a town that looks really nice to live in.”
Scooping top prize in the Best Communal Area was the team from St Mary's Hall, Overton.
The award was the third consecutive win for the garden, located behind the hall in the High Street.
Peter Baker, from Overton Parish Council, said it was a great example of a community all pitching in.
The garden was opened in 2006 and more than 110 residents came out to help it take shape, costing locals around £9,000.
Mr Baker said the green space has benefited the town.
He said: “What is wonderful is that people can use it anytime as a place to come in after work. It is very peaceful and tranquil.
“Young families use it, children can play and people from the care home can come down for a break with their families.”
He told the Basingstoke Observer that his team's secret lies in their good fortune.
He said: “We have extremely fertile soil in the area. If you can't grow anything there then you should just give up and go home.”
The awards are organised by the borough council. However the councillor behind it admitted that next year the council may have to take a step back from running the competition.
Cabinet Member for Communities, Sport and Leisure, Cllr Clive Sanders, said: “We are keen to support it and the more we can get volunteers to be part of this should be encouraged.
“It will save some of our time and resources when our staff could be doing other work.”
“But we do not want to stop doing things like this, it shows you do not have to live in a special place to go and create something nice, you can do it absolutely anywhere.”
The full list of winners:
Large Front Garden:
1st: Michael Pettit, 2nd: Anne Wells, 3rd: Humphrey Chatt, Highly Commended: Mary and Bob Reid
Small Front Garden:
1st: David Ballinger, 2nd: Michael Gilbert, 3rd: Kellie Thomson, Highly Commended: Lucy Mackman
Best Container Garden
1st: Gary and Sue Hopgood, 2nd: Amanda Watson, 3rd: Leila Bennett, Highly Commended: Ray and Sue Ingleby
Best Basket or Container:
1st: Raymond and Peter Coventry, 2nd: Caroline and Alan Hughes, 3rd: Jeff Owen, Highly Commended: Gary and Sue Hopgood
Best Communal Area
1st: St Mary's Hall, 2nd: Battens Avenue
Best Wildlife Garden:
1st: Jean Scrivens, 2nd: Yvonne Lucas
Best Commercial Frontage:
1st: Town Mill, 2nd: Absolutely Offices, 3rd: Grange Management
Photographs are availble on request, email a.richards@basingstokeobserver.co.uk
