ONE of Newport’s oldest gardeners was honoured for his efforts to spruce up his street by decorating a roadside tree.

Arthur Collett, 90, of Argyle Street, Crindau, has no front garden and adopted the ash tree after Newport City Council planted it 19 years ago.

The retired British Telecom worker scooped the chairman’s shield at this year’s Newport in Bloom event, with him described as an "unlikely winner" by vice-chairman Sue Mizon.

Friday night’s event was tinged with sadness after chairwoman Marjorie Woolven died last week.

But Ms Mizon stepped in to announce the winner, saying: "Mr Collett is an unlikely winner. His house opens directly onto the street and he doesn’t have a front garden.

"What he does is decorate a tree growing outside his home. He has done this for the 19 years Newport in Bloom has been in existence."

Mr Collett, who has a daughter, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren plants flowers around the tree and said: "It’s on the road outside my house and I just look after it to cheer things up."

Mr Collett was awarded a plate trophy, while other winners included pupils from Fairoak Nursery, who scooped best school flower display, best vegetable garden and best school wildlife garden awards.

2012 Winners

Schools:

  • Best school flower display - nursery schools: Fairoak Nursery
  • Best vegetable garden - nursery schools: Fairoak Nursery
  • Best flower display - junior schools: Maesglas Primary
  • Best vegetable garden - junior schools: Ysgol Cymraeg
  • Best school wildlife garden: Fairoak Nursery

School arts competition:

  • Infants - Keiron Bowyer, Brynglas Primary
  • Lower juniors - Annika Gianna Mora, St Mary’s RC Primary
  • Upper juniors- Madison Drew, St Mary’s RC Primary

Residential:

  • Best front garden: Carol McClymont, Lighthouse Park
  • Best flower display using pots and containers: Mr and Mrs James, Harlech Drive, Rhiwderin
  • Best flower display in community: Solas, Albert Street
  • Best display - hotels and pubs: The Milton Hotel, Llanwern
  • Best display - residential and nursing homes: Glenmore Residential Home
  • Best maintained parish or church gardens and cemeteries: St Anne’s Roman Catholic, Malpas
  • Best wildlife garden: Christine Hancock Champions’ class: St Mary’s Church, Marshfield