Residents prepare for judges by planting up Chapel Lane in Wilmslow

The Plant Prosecco and Pakora mini event was organised by Cllr Julie Dawn Potts, a member of Wilmslow in Bloom, with nine people coming along to help her with the planting.

Julie said: “Following our 'Outstanding' Gold award last year in the It’s Your Neighbourhood entry I have been continuing to work on an area of Chapel Lane which was overgrown and unloved.

“So I decided to take it over for a community project and call it the 'Pocket' garden.

“It has taken me many months to source a variety of products on a minimal but very welcome budget which I received following the Just Giving page I set up in February, along with trying to enlist residents of the Chapel Lane community to help me out.

“It has been an amazing journey and I have met some fantastic community-inspired people along the way.

“I put together a creative board so I had a plan of action, so I set about working on the garden and the rest of the lane in preparation for the RHS 'It’s Your Neighbourhood' entry on July 23 and The National Town Finals on August 8 when the judges arrive.

“Five planters were very kindly made for me by Jones Builders and Plumbers Merchants, which I painted in the same colour theme as the Pocket garden.

“The plants for the planters were kindly donated by Wilmslow Garden Centre, Chelsea Flowers provided the prosecco and the Indian Pakora was provided by the Chutney Massala, both shops in Chapel Lane.

“Phil Barton and myself put up a very large clock which I bought for the 'Pocket' garden to create a focal point, along with pictures, bird boxes and a water plant feature which will hopefully gain extra points from the judges.

“The Pocket garden is nearly complete, and I have a few finishing touches to add to complete the work.

“The work I’m doing along Chapel Lane is aimed at creating awareness of the fantastic independent businesses we have here and increasing awareness to our Chapel lane Love The Lane Facebook page.”