Everyone at Lisieux Trust is thrilled that two of our tenants have scooped awards at a major Midlands gardening competition.

Nick and Jack attend Roots to Fruit every Friday, and the green-fingered pair took home a plethora of awards after their horticultural exploits.

Jonathan Ensell (below), who runs Roots to Fruits, told us how proud he was of the duo. “We were absolutely delighted that Jack and Nick took part in the West Midlands Growing Garden Awards 2026.”

It’s not just the results that were special, but the competition too, as Jonathan explained. “The West Midlands Growing Garden Awards are a unique community gardening competition that celebrates achievement through a criteria-based judging system rather than simply placing competitors against one another. Participants are awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on how well they meet the judging criteria, meaning that anyone can achieve the highest standard through quality, skill and dedication.”

Ensell, who is an award-winning gardener himself, was fulsome in his praise for the charity’s tenants, adding: “Jack and Nick have both been superb volunteers at Roots to Fruit. As part of the project, they took home vegetable tubs and seed trays, nurtured them, and returned them for judging.”

Jonathan was keen to stress that Nick and Jack did not receive the awards in a special learning disabilities category, as he underlined, “Their entries achieved a standard worthy of medals, competing alongside members of the public and experienced gardeners alike. A Gold award is a Gold regardless of a person’s background, and both demonstrated exceptional commitment and progress throughout the project.”

The two Trust peas in a pod could rival Monty Don on Gardeners’ World with their prowess, as Jonathan listed their accomplishments. “Nick was awarded Best in Category for the Vegetable Tubs, while Jack received Best in Category for the Vegetable Trays, taking home the overall prize in his category. Their success is thoroughly deserved, and we are incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”

Nick’s mum, Mary, also expressed her pride at their hard work: “They both planted and grew a tub and a tray full of vegetables.  They were planted during their Friday morning sessions and looked after back at their homes.

 “2 successful gardeners!” she exclaimed.

Jonathan said that he was immensely grateful for the support given to RTF from various sources. “This project was made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. Their support enabled us to provide all workshops, plants, compost, containers and competition entry completely free of charge, ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to take part regardless of their circumstances.”