Gardens judged

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 482, 20 April 1993, Page 4

Gardens judged

By Jan Savell Since 1956 home gardeners at Waiouru Military Camp have competed for the Cariappi Shield. This year judging commenced on 19 January with an initial shortlist of 30 homes. The final judging took place on 18 March with the awards being presented last week. This year the quality was so high that two extra awards were made.

Winners David and Diana Giddens were delighted. Their g arden at 6 Pearce Place is an interest and a hobby but they never expected this sort of recognition. "We don't do it for that," said Diana Giddens. "We're very pleased of course but the garden is something we do for our own pleasure." "We didn't go to any trouble for the judging. There was washing out and I didn't even mow the lawns," said David Giddens who is responsible for the lush vegetable garden. First time judge Judy Lough said she was "really quite arnazed". I was really surprised at what does grow in Waiouru. There were things I've not seen before." "The competition was very close. When the 10 finalists came to the presentation they all seemed to know each other. They had an equal chance and it came down to who was best on the day. Just getting to the final was a real tribute to the work they have done." Mrs Lough and fellow judge Mrs Kate Sinclair believe that the popularity of the Waiouru Garden Club has much to do with

the standard of the gardens. Prizewinners were: Cariappa Shield for the best garden in Waiouru WOl and Mrs Giddens 6 Pearce Place, Second W02 and Mrs Forrester 6 Maxwell Cres, Third SSgt and Mrs Gordon 29 Caughley Crescent. Special Effort Awards for achievement in just one year: WOl and Mrs Lumsden 32 Andrews Drive and SSgt and Mrs Moss 12 Queree Drive.