Arch Gardening wins

The Sustainable Development Award

at Hertfordshire’s Business Awards Ceremony

Enthusiastic gardener Caroline Howells of Arch Gardening collected the Sustainable Development award from Jon Culshaw last month at Hertfordshire’s Business Awards ceremony held at Willow Farm, London Colney in Hertfordshire. Her commitment to the community and the environment were key factors in winning the award, having voluntarily worked with Stevenage, Anglia and Britain in Bloom.

Arch Gardening assisted Stevenage Borough Council with ‘Stevenage in Bloom’, working on projects such as designing and planting a church garden, working with the probation service and churches together, as well as a major clearance project at the Stevenage Museum Sensory garden.  Caroline also judged Best Young Gardener and Best Street in Stevenage.  Successful in their category, Stevenage progressed to win ‘Anglia in Bloom’ and received a silver award at ‘Britain in Bloom’.

Due to the success of the ‘In Bloom’ campaign Caroline and her team at Arch Gardening have been asked to help with maintenance and planting of bulbs at various sites and work with other sectors of the community, including gardening clubs at schools, encouraging wildlife gardening and sustainable planting at sites.  Stevenage have been invited back by The Royal Horticultural Society to enter ‘Britain in Bloom’ (which is the largest horticultural competition in Europe) to compete next year and Caroline is hoping they will win the Gold award in 2007.

Caroline has enjoyed gardening since she was 3 years old and set up her own business in September 2003.  Now she has a team who undertake projects from designing and landscaping sites to pruning and maintenance for over 100 client’s gardens in Hertfordshire.

Caroline Howells of Arch Gardening was stunned and very pleased to win The Sustainable Development Award.  Overwhelmed she commented, “It’s great to be recognised for my achievements.  Just over three years ago I worked in an office, I am now dedicated to gardening and looking forward to continuing our work with the churches, probation office and the local community to improve the environment for everyone to enjoy, Gardening is my passion and it is wonderful to win the award.”