A MONMOUTH Gardener came away from this year’s Wales in Bloom award ceremony with four awards, including a Community Champion award for 2022.

Malcolm Nicholls, who tends to the garden at Homeforge House on Goldwire Lane was already a ‘Bloom’ winner taking silver in 2017, silver-gilt in 2018 and gold in 2019 in the Health and Social Care Establishment category, but the pandemic meant a two-year hiatus for the Welsh flower awards.

Following the two-year gap, Malcolm began preparing for this year’s RHS Wales in Bloom competition ready for the judging in July.

He gave additional thought to the three large lawns, each with floral borders, and the patio area for residents where they gather and share a drink in the sunshine.

This year’s display included a border representing Ukraine in its national colours and flags, something the judge commented on as it was the only one he had seen this year and said how poignant it was.

Another area which contributed towards Malcolm’s success was The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee display in the national cours of red, white and blue.

In 2020, a much-loved resident passed away who was a tail-gunner on Lancasters in the Second World War, and Malcolm had an arbour placed within the grounds for residents to sit and remember the bravery of Sidney Armstrong.

Malcol is also introducing a beehive in the produce garden so that Homeforge residents can enjoy their own honey and vegetables.

“We are overwhelmed to have won another gold in this year’s Wales in Bloom and for winning another gold for being top within each section,” said Malcolm.

He also received an individual Community Champion Gold Award.

“I’d like to thank Millbrook Garden Centre for the support given by the management and staff and to the contract garden team for maintaining the standards” he added.