Residents of the Duchy of Cornwall’s Tregunnel Hill development in Newquay are being encouraged to enter a hanging basket and front gardens competition inspired by HRH the Duke of Cornwall.
During his visit to Tregunnel Hill last July, His Royal Highness suggested it might be an idea to have a competition and bring residents together with some friendly green-fingered rivalry.
With spring now well underway, a competition has been organised by the team at Newquay Community Orchard, which occupies seven acres of land gifted by the Duchy of Cornwall on the western edge of the Duchy’s Nansledan development nearby.
The Duchy’s food strategy at Tregunnel Hill and Nansledan aims to encourage the production of sustainably produced food. It has already helped establish three community allotment schemes in the area and promotes ‘edible streets’ by planting herbs, nut and fruit trees throughout its new developments.
Lyn Trewella, from the Newquay Community Orchard team, which has an office at Tregunnel Hill, said: “We’ve already got 15 households signed up for the competition and we’re hoping more people will enter because it’s such a fun thing to do and really promotes a sense of community spirit.
“We’re providing biodegradable willow hanging baskets and inspired by the Duchy’s edible streets theme, are advising people on the varieties of edible flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruit that they might want to plant either in a basket or in their front garden.
“We’re planning a community planting session on the Tregunnel Hill green soon so that people can plant up their baskets and we can all get to know one another, then it’ll be a few months of careful nurturing before judging in July.”
Among those taking part in the competition is local resident Guy Hayler, who said: “What is great about this hanging basket competition is that not only is a bit of fun but it will inspire community spirit and make Tregunnel Hill look even better – I am in it for the win!”
Another resident, Matt Camps, added: “The development is clean and peaceful, anything that encourages us all to take a bit of pride in our community and meet our neighbours has got to be a good thing!”
Tregunnel Hill is a development of 174 new homes and employment space on 10 acres of Duchy-owned land that was completed last year. Like Nansledan, it features local materials such as Cornish slate and granite and embodies the principles of architecture and urban planning championed by the Prince over many years.
