AROUND 200 people raised the roof of the People's Palace Winter Gardens last night as the Streets Ahead Awards finalists celebrated in style.

Over the next few pages, meet the wonderful winners and runners-up who have made this year's campaign such a sparkling success.

BEST GARDEN – WINNER – DAVID FOORD

THE winner of the Best Garden category is a wonderful example of how one garden can inspire a whole community.

David Foord has been looking after his in-laws’ garden on Tanfield Street for the last nine years and the transformation has been remarkable.

From a messy, overgrown square of grass and rubble, it is now an enchanting network of paths, terraces, plants and colourful flowers and a haven for birds and urban wildlife visitors. There are even strawberry plants and tomatoes, and a herb garden produces parsley and rosemary.

David’s parents-in-law, Susan and George McGroarty, are unable to tend the garden because of ill-health, but thanks to David’s amazing efforts, they now have a peaceful, beautiful garden to enjoy.

In addition, the garden has inspired the family’s neighbours, who often pop in for cuttings and advice. Even the local postman relies on David for planting tips.

Judges were blown away by David’s kind gesture to his parents in law and inspired by his positive effect on the Shettleston community.

“We are both getting on a bit and are not able to garden any more but thanks to David we spend a lot of time out here,” smiled Susan.

The family lived in South Africa for many years, when George, who was an engineer, got work over there.

“When we came back and moved in here, the garden wasn’t up to much so David turned it into this wonderful little haven,” added Susan.

“My favourite spot is standing at the kitchen window, watching the birds in all weathers. You see squirrels and even foxes and voles popping in from time to time, it’s wonderful – considering we are in the middle of the city.”

She smiled: “We are over the moon that David has won this award – he deserves it very much.”

BEST SCHOOL – WINNER – ADELPHI NURSERY

The pupils at Adelphi Nursery in the Gorbals are a clever and creative bunch, looking after their own chickens and collecting eggs to barter in the local community.

In a partnership project with the High Rise Bakers community baking project, they have also learned how to grow wheat in a bid to make their own bread.

But this is much more than a simple baking project. Adelphi Nursery is home to around 80 children, from many cultural backgrounds, who speak 19 languages between them.

The hens, in their new home (aptly called Cluckingham Palace by the children) have brought parents and the wider community into the school, breaking down barriers and building relationships.

Head teacher Julie Carey said: “We’re delighted to win – our project has become about so much more than just baking - it has brought our community together and we are very proud of that.”

BEST SCHOOL - RUNNERS-UP :

ST MARIA GORETTI PRIMARY: If you live in Cranhill, you are sure to have spotted the talented tidy-up teams of St Maria Goretti Primary pupils, out making sure the streets around their school are squeaky clean.

As well as regularly blitzing their own playground, they target litter hotspots in local parks and on surrounding streets and report unsafe or hard-to-reach locations to the city council’s Environmental Task Force.

Supported by staff and parents, who raised money to buy litter picking equipment, and local shopkeepers and businesses, the hardworking children are adored by the local community, who say Cranhill is a much cleaner, happier and safer place as a result of their efforts.

POLLOK CHILDREN’S CENTRE: The gardens at Pollok Children’s Centre are brighter, bolder and more beautiful thanks to the dedication of children, parents and staff.

Introducing a Hungry Caterpillar theme to get the youngest children interested, the young gardeners now help to grow vegetables to harvest and cook and learn about wildlife and insects, especially the importance of butterflies and bees.

Judges praised this bright, cheerful project for its determination to create a space everyone can enjoy and learn from.

DRUMCHAPEL HIGH’S WIDER ACHIEVEMENT: Drumchapel High’s Wider Achievement department was set up to develop skills for life, learning and work but it has very quickly grown into a fantastic, positive force for change in the area.

The young pupils work tirelessly to support and engage with a variety of local groups, strengthening links between the secondary school and its surrounding community.

They fundraise for local charities and have set up social enterprises to tackle important issues such as bullying and mental health – for example, Bake My Day is a third year project supporting those in need of someone to talk to, by inviting them in to decorate cakes and help sell them in the school.

Judges said this remarkable group of young people deserved credit for their tireless efforts at the heart of the community.