BEST GARDEN -

GORDON KENDALL

Gordon Kendall, from Balornock, takes a lot of pride in his garden, spending hours digging, planting and weeding.

Since he became unemployed, he says it has given him a new lease of life. He also helps many elderly neighbours look after their gardens.

His mum, Annie, explained: "Gordon's dad and I are both practically housebound because of ill-health, and to be able to look out on a beautiful garden means the world to us."

Gordon, who attended the awards with his wife Irene, said: "I just love doing my garden and helping my neighbours. I never expected to win an award for it."

RUNNER UP

CHARLES ROGERSON

Mr Rogerson, 62, of Balornock, has been gardening his whole life. Daughter Angela said: "My dad spends hours in the garden and everyone is always commenting on how beautiful it is. He doesn't just cut the grass and plant flowers – he has built walls, put in features... he loves it.

"He couldn't come to the awards because he was on holiday, but he was just delighted to have been nominated."

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE: Dumbarton Road Corridor Environmental Trust

DRCET has helped communities clean up their areas, create community gardens, helped eco schools, recycled bikes and reduced carbon footprints in the nine years since it first opened its doors in Scotstoun, Yoker and Whiteinch.

Project manager Neil Lovelock, chairman Tam Munro and an enthusiastic team of volunteers and part-time staff have worked hard to make a difference to the environment, bringing neighbours together and encouraging pride in their areas.

Tam said: "We're really proud of everything our volunteers have achieved since the project started.

"It was great to get nominated for Streets Ahead – to win award was such a surprise but we are all delighted."

RUNNERS-UP

Children's Wood

The dedicated volunteers who helped turn derelict tennis courts into the Children's Wood at North Kelvin Meadow believe they have created something special for the young people of Maryhill and surrounding areas.

The wood, which sits beside the meadow, raised bed allotment and community orchard created and managed by North Kelvin Meadow, now welcomes thousands of people every year to assorted events and activities.

The Children's Wood has boosted health and wellbeing, community spirit and healthy eating as kids get involved in growing and harvesting fruit from the orchard.

Volunteer Riikka Gonzalez, 40, said: "A lot of hard work has gone in to making this a safe and clean place for kids to play. Streets Ahead is great – it recognises people who are trying to do things at a local level."

Fortune Garden

The people who tend and care for the Fortune Garden in Drumchapel are slowly but surely creating a service the whole community can be proud of.

Under the guidance of garden support worker David Stewart, the team – who all have learning disabilities – grow plants and flowers for local schools and day care centres.

They also sell filled hanging baskets and planters to the public and hold local litter picks.

David said: "All of the people who work in the Fortune Garden are service users with Enable, the charity which supports people with learning disabilities.

"They work really hard and enjoy every minute of it. The project is still in its early days but we think it has the potential to bring huge benefits."