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Everything is coming up roses

Chelsea Flower Show competition winner Marjorie Prophet and husband Neil pictured in their garden at home in Forfar.
Chelsea Flower Show competition winner Marjorie Prophet and husband Neil pictured in their garden at home in Forfar.

A lucky Forfar grandmother has won a VIP trip to the 2017 Chelsea Flower Show.

Marjorie Prophet, 78, was delighted when she got a call from The Courier telling her she had won the top prize.

She had entered our competition, run in tandem with Omega Holidays – one of the UK’s leading tour operators – to win the trip for two.

“This is a wonderful surprise,” she said. “I’ve never been to Chelsea Flower Show before, although my husband Neil has been to the Dundee one a few times and really enjoyed it.

“It will be really exciting to fly down to London and spend a day at the show among lovely plants and flowers.”

While Marjorie “dabbles” in gardening, it’s her husband Neil, 83, who is the green-fingered one in the household.

“I try to do a bit but Neil is a very keen gardener,” said Marjorie. “We’ve got some lovely hydrangeas, peony roses and begonias in the garden and I always buy fresh flowers to brighten up the house.”

The fantastic prize includes return flights from Edinburgh to London, two nights’ stay at a four-star hotel, admission to the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2017 and £200 spending money.

When Marjorie entered our competition – which involved collecting and sending off six tokens – she hadn’t realised money formed part of the prize.

“That’s such a surprise,” she said. “I’ve no idea what we’ll spend it on but I doubt it will be flowers as we’d struggle to get them back on the plane. No doubt there will be lots of other lovely things to choose from.”

Chelsea Flower Show is one of the world’s most prestigious flower shows and is supported by the Royal family.

Digging out the best of Courier Country’s gardens

The Courier asked readers to send in photos of their stunning gardens and we were inundated with blossoming beauties. Here’s a selection of some of the best…

Jeanette Kinloch's garden in Perth.
Jeanette Kinloch’s garden in Perth.
David Dunsmuir's garden in Letham, Angus.
David Dunsmuir’s garden in Letham, Angus.

 

Dorothy Fyffes garden in Carnoustie.
Dorothy Fyffes garden in Carnoustie.
Marilyn Leven's glorious garden in Coaltown of Balgonie, Fife.
Marilyn Leven’s glorious garden in Coaltown of Balgonie, Fife.
Linda Farrell's wonderful garden in Wormit, Fife.
Linda Farrell’s wonderful garden in Wormit, Fife.
Leslie Donaldson's oriental garden.
Leslie Donaldson’s oriental garden.