Sunnyside Community Garden was awarded ‘best community garden’ in this year’s Islington in Bloom awards. Pictured at the ceremony, from left: Fernando Solis, Saskia Gretton, Esther Coles, Anna Portch, Dhun Silverstein, deputy mayor Rosaline Ogunro and, far right, Bozenna Ochocki

A COMMUNITY garden that has been the victim of vandalism, theft, and fire has been celebrated at Islington’s annual gardening awards.

Sunnyside Community Garden near the Elthorne estate was among those crowned at the Islington in Bloom awards on Monday.

Flames had engulfed the toilet block at the garden in May, the third time the building had been burnt down in a decade.

The Polytunnel, which housed plants and vegetables, was attacked by vandals several years ago.

Anna Portch, garden manager at Sunnyside, said that being awarded “best community garden” was “wonderful” after the strife the space had been subjected to over the years.

She told the Tribune: “We’re all delighted. The volunteers are so pleased. We enter every year but this is the first time we have ever won. It’s really exciting, especially with all the hard competition in Islington. It has given us a real boost.”

Sunnyside has served the community for 47 years, gradually drawing in more and more green-fingered volunteers.

Ms Portch said: “When the judges came all the volunteers were there so they could tell them all about the garden.

“The garden is beautiful, but the volunteers’ enthusiasm for it is even better.”

Council leader Una O’Halloran, left, with Sheila Scott who runs Café at 91 which won ‘best blooming business’

She added that it was the second bit of good news Sunnyside had received this year, after the council granted them a 50-year lease on the land for a peppercorn rent, safeguarding the garden’s future.

At the ceremony, trophies were handed out for everything from best window box to best hidden gem, and winners enjoyed a performance from the London Vegetable Orchestra, who play tunes on instruments carved from butternut squash, carrots, and peppers.

Among the winners was Café at 91 in Archway, which was awarded “best blooming business”.

Sheila Scott, who owns the café, said: “We are really thrilled. We weren’t expecting it at all. The garden really brings the community together and people love it.”

Ms Scott bought the Archway café seven years ago when there was little to show in the way of greenery, and they “guerilla gardened it”. She said: “We’ve planted all of it really. We built the boxes, the containers, planted the roses and the shrubs.”

Other winners included the Mildmay Community Food Project for best edible garden; Ann Monaghan for best front garden; and Oliver Hymans for best balcony.

Councillor Rowena Champion, the Town Hall’s environment chief, said: “Islington residents, community groups and businesses have yet again shown their commitment to creating a greener, healthier borough. It’s wonderful to see all of our diverse communities coming together to celebrate their hard work.

“People approach gardening from so many different angles, and get involved for so many different reasons, but we know that gardening and connecting with nature can be so positive for people’s mental and physical wellbeing.”

Anita Gracie, who helped judge the competition, said: “Turning up to judge gardens where volunteers are working is such a pleasure, talking to them about their work and the space they are helping to improve.

“The joy that people take from being involved in creating something beautiful is so lovely to witness. That is what this competition is all about – it’s the people who make it happen.”