THE gardens at Wigan and Leigh Hospice have scooped a top accolade at the North West In Bloom awards.
At the ceremony at Southport Convention Centre the gardens in Hindley won Level 5 (Outstanding) in the hospice category.
Level 5 is equivalent to what was formerly called Gold – which the gardens also won at North West In Bloom in 2018.
The judges visited the hospice gardens in July which are cared for by a part-time gardener and five regular volunteers.
Hospice gardener Jim Nicholson said: “The judges were looking for gardens which make an impact on people and for evidence of biodiversity.
"The gardens are home to a wide variety of plants and animals and our wildflower retreat, which is relatively new, has really helped to increase the biodiversity of our gardens.
“When it comes to impact people often stop to talk and comment on the gardens.
"One lady came up to me and said her dad was in hospital and they wanted to take him home but said now that she’d visited the hospice this was where he had to come.
"He loved gardening and the nurses would wheel him out in his bed so he could sit in the gardens.
“We are absolutely delighted to have won this award and a huge thanks must go to our five volunteers – Mary, Joan, Janet, Lynne and Anne – who come every Monday to garden and make a massive difference.
"They help us make sure that the gardens look fantastic all year round.”
Jim Nicholson with his stall at the awards ceremony
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At the ceremony a collection held to raise funds for Wigan and Leigh Hospice totalled £1,191.
Every inpatient unit bed at the hospice has views of the gardens and each patient has patio doors which mean they can get outside if they wish to.
This December patients will be able to see glittering Christmas Trees from their rooms for the first time as part of the new 5,000 Lights project.
The event invites people and businesses to give the gift of Christmas to patients and their visitors by buying a Christmas Tree to be placed in the hospice gardens.
Each tree will feature fairy lights and a plaque by the donor to acknowledge their gift.
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