JUDGES from Oxford in Bloom saw the gardens of the city at their very best yesterday, thanks to a spell of long-awaited sunshine.
The team started the day viewing residential gardens in Northway, Marston, Headington, Wood Farm and Barton, before moving on to the University gardens. They finished the afternoon looking in Risinghurst.
Judge John Alcock, who has been on the panel for 25 years, said he was surprised by the standard considering the poor weather conditions that had blighted the summer so far.
Mr Alcock, of Littlemore, pictured right with fellow judge Trish Stevens and University College head gardener, Bruce Taylor, said: “Tomorrow we are visiting around 29 more residential areas.
“With the bad weather conditions we have had, the gardens have managed to survive very well.
“Some struggled with flowers not coming out in time, such as the Sweet Pea, which are only just coming through when they are usually out by the end of June. “This week of sunshine will help the flowers really grow.”
Oxford in Bloom winners will be announced in September.
Picture: OX53341 Damian Halliwell
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