Ken’s got real flower power (From Swindon Advertiser)

Ken’s got real flower power

10:05am Wednesday 6th September 2006 in

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AFTER carefully cultivating his garden, Ken Collier has won an award for his work.

The 73-year-old's garden at Gas Lane in Cricklade was named as the best front garden in the town council's Cricklade in Bloom competition.

And the former fireman and school maintenance worker is thrilled.

"Every single thing in my garden has been grown by myself," he said.

"We built this house 34 years ago so I had to start from the beginning with the garden.

"I have got a big vegetable garden, which keeps my family and some neighbours in vegetables, and I like to have lots of different and colourful flowers. I've got petunias, bizzie lizzies and all sorts.

"Every year I start to plant seeds in January and then as they mature I move them from one of my five greenhouses to the next one. Then it's time to plant them in the garden."

But Mr Collier does admit that his wife, Avril, 71, gives him some help.

And he says the pair have always loved being outside in their garden.

"We're outside people," he said. "Ever since I was at school, I've always enjoyed gardening. I won awards for gardening at school."

But it's not just Mr and Mrs Collier who like their garden to look its best.

"We have people who walk past and stop to look at the garden, you really can't miss it," he added.