SUMMER may now be a memory, but the keenly anticipated Annual Floral Awards are a thank-you to those who have done their part to bring a little colour and pizzazz to Galashiels over the past few months.

Galashiels Community Council in conjunction with Chamber of Trade held their annual awards presentations at Old Gala House at the weekend.

The annual awards acknowledge the outstanding quality of gardens attached to residential and commercial properties throughout the town, as well as commercial frontages, allotments and residential complexes for the elderly.

Watson Lodge won Best Floral Frontage Commercial Display and speaking about his success, James Martin from Watson Lodge told the Border Telegraph: “I started much earlier in the year.

“In previous years, we used to have someone who would come in and do the garden for us.

That stopped in 2014, and we came nowhere near so decided to go it alone. I bought a selection of plug plants and I grew them myself. We have an automatic watering system. That was a big help. Thee water came on automatically at 4.30am-5am. That saved us a lot of time and effort, wasn’t especially labour intensive, and didn’t disturb our neighbours or guests.

"The weather didn’t help us, It was a really bad start to the summer. But we made it in the end. We opted for plenty of colour and plenty of bush-type plants. And I am happy with the final results. Not just rewards like this, which are nice to get of course. But also the comments we have received from neighbours and other people in the town. It makes it all worthwhile."

2015 winners

Best Private Garden Floral Display: 1st, Mr J Hamilton, 16 Balmoral Avenue; 2nd Mr Telfer, 28 Roger Quin Gardens; 3rd, Mr & Mrs Miller, 18 Craigpark Gardens; 4th, Mr and Mrs Tait, Duncraig, Wylies Brae

Best Private Gardens Floral Display (Hard Landscape): 1st, Mr Hay, 48 Forest Hill; 2nd, Mr and Mrs Ancell, 29 Tweed Crescent; 3rd Mr G Millar, 38 Roger Quin Gardens

Best Private Large Garden: 16 Coopersknowe

Best Commercial Premises Floral Display: 1st, Mr and Mrs Elliott, Binniemyre Guest House; 2nd, Mrs Lamont, Kingsknowes Hotel

Best Commercial Frontage Floral Display: 1st, Mr & Mrs Martin, Watson Lodge, Bridge Street; 2nd, Mr S Paterson, The Auld Mill, Cornmill Square; 3rd The Golden Lion, High Street

The John Windram Memorial Trophy for Best Allotment: Mr D Kellett, 7 Woodlea (Wood Street Allotments); Mr Bob Norris, 43 Scott Street

Best Floral Display in Residential Complex for the Elderly: 1st, Gala Nursing Home

Best Rose Display: Mrs R Nugent, 16 Coopersknowe