The Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, joined Mark Turner of Luton Rising and Deputy Lieutenant Hannan Ali as judges for the Best in Community Garden for the Luton In Bloom awards. 

The panel were treated to three spectacular gardens all of which have been lovingly tended to by community groups. All three of the gardens were incredibly different but equally beautiful. 

With a vast splash of colour from planting mixed with a combination of vegetable planting, the community garden based in a dementia care unit provided a beautiful and calm environment for residents, family and friends to sit, chat and enjoy. 

We were reminded that not all gardens need to be vast with our next shortlisted garden. With a drab brick wall as a backdrop, the next community garden was adorned with planters. Various groups came together to plant the vibrant and stunning containers - we were ovjoyed to see how the containers truly transformed the area. 

The judging panel were later treated to a garden where the mental and physical well-being of its community sat at its heart, with close links to the local GP practice, the garden truly served its community by providing a place of exercise, relaxation and above all peace. The garden had a final message, shown in how confiscated knives could be transformed in to gardening tools. 

The Lord Lieutenant commented, 'I have no idea how we can choose a winner, as all three of these gardens are so deeply special to the communities they serve. Thank you to Luton In Bloom and my fellow judges for making the afternoon so lovely'.