Green fingered tenant wins national gardening award

A tenant from Bridgewood Lodge in Heywood has won a national gardening award. 

Fred Russell, who lives at Anchor’s Bridgewood Lodge in Margaret Street, was nominated by fellow tenants for his hard work in the communal gardens. 

Almost 200 nominations were sent in for the Happy Living Awards run by Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit care and housing provider. The awards were launched in August with six categories: Green Fingered Customer, Best Neighbour, Extraordinary Talent, Grandparent of the Year, Community Champion and Best Pet.

Fred Russell, who has lived at Bridgewood Lodge, is thrilled to be shortlisted for the Green Fingered Customer Award He said: “It is an honour to be chosen. I love the garden and the freedom it gives me. It has also encouraged the other customers to use it more”

Janet Murray, who appreciates Fred’s work in the gardens, said: “Thank you to Fred, who has transformed our garden areas by making new beds and planting them up with beautiful displays of flowers. When the Prince’s Trust came to give us some help turning the beds over and removing old gnarled bushes."