Bloomin’ marvellous – Peabody launches tallest sunflower competition

Flower power: Youngsters enjoy taking part at a Peabody Gardening Club

The green-fingered will have an opportunity to show off their skills this summer in a competition to grow the tallest sunflower.

As part of their 150th anniversary celebrations taking place this year, the Peabody Trust is running a Peabody in Bloom gardening competition.

Peabody residents are being invited to grow the tallest sunflower or impress with a container of flowers or vegetables. There are fantastic prizes on offer for the winners in both the children’s and adult’s categories, including annual membership for two people to Kew Gardens and a day out at Chessington World of Adventures for a family of four.

The aim of Peabody in Bloom is to bring together people of all ages and abilities, whether they are adults or children, amateurs or the next Alan Titchmarsh. The competition also aims to encourage young people in particular to get involved.

Across several Peabody estates, already existing and well-established gardening clubs are bringing people together to cultivate flowers and vegetables and share tips on gardening practices.

This enables residents to improve the natural environment on the estates as well as help to foster a sense of pride in their community.

Founded in 1862, Peabody is now one of London’s oldest and largest housing associations. Working in nearly every London borough, Peabody provides homes for more than 55,000 people. This year’s 150th anniversary provides an opportunity to celebrate the organisation’s success and its achievements in providing social housing across the capital.

The Peabody in Bloom gardening competition looks to continue the anniversary celebrations that began earlier in the year when residents and supporters of the charity gathered at Westminster Abbey to celebrate 150 years of Peabody and its work providing homes across London.

If you’re interested in taking part, get your sunflower seeds and an application form by calling Nicola Langley-Essen on 020 7021 4693.

Entries, which should include a photograph, must be received by Friday 10 August.