This year Allett Mowers opened up their annual Allett Creative Lawn Stripes competition internationally.

The competition attracted a global set of entries, however the winning lawn featured a tribute to our own NHS. Andrew Wain, head gardener of Euridge Manor in Chippenham who has placed high in the competition for the past three years, this time takes the top prize. 

1st - Andrew Wain, Chippenham, UK

“I first entered the competition four years ago to have some fun.” said Andrew. “Straight lines can get a little boring sometimes and that year I came second so I decided to stick with it. It’s exciting to win at last, for both me and my employer. As a wedding venue, the lawn has become a real talking point among guests.

"This year, with Covid and the NHS being so fantastic I felt that this was my opportunity of saying thank you to all those in all departments of the NHS that have put themselves in harm’s way to look after us. It is also my way of saying thank you to all those in the NHS who have cared for relatives of mine who in the last few years and indeed weeks lost their battles with cancer. So that is where I came up with the idea of the butterfly, to carry the thank you message with an NHS rainbow on each side.

"The Allett creative stripes competition has encouraged me to turn the lawn at Euridge Manor into a piece of art. I encourage anyone to have a go, as it is great fun and adds a whole new dimension of creativity to the garden. I’m over the moon with winning such a fantastic prize and thank Allett for running the competition.”

Andrew, who is a brand ambassador for Stihl, used a Stihl rotary mower and hand trimmer to create his pattern.

This year's judging was done by Edgbaston Cricket Ground's head groundsman, Gary Barwell. Allett are proud partners with Edgbaston and felt Gary's expertise was perfect for the role of this year's judge. An internal vote was done at Allett with the top 6 entries being forwarded to Gary to pick his overall winner.

2nd - Edward Aitken, Cheltenham, UK

Gary said, "The standard was truly outstanding and the time and work that was put into these was on another level it was so difficult to decide but the winner showed craft, flair, knowledge and relevance."

This year's competition saw entries come in from USA, Wales, England, Denmark, Australia, Belgium, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Scotland and Ireland. Andrew wins an Allett Liberty 43 battery powered cylinder mower alongside the Allett Complete Lawn Care System of six interchangeable cartridges. He will also get 'a day in the life of a groundsman' at Edgbaston alongside Gary and his team.

3rd - William Axmacher, USA

''The rise in international competitors in this competition is in line with the rise in demand our company has seen for our mowers from overseas lawn-fanatics” says Austin Jarrett, managing director at Allett Ltd.

The top three entries in the competition, with Gary Barlow’s comments, were: 

• 1st - Andrew Wain, Chippenham,UK- "The standard was truly outstanding and the time and work that was put into these was on another level it was so difficult to decide but the winner showed craft flair knowledge and relevance."
• 2nd - Edward Aitken, Cheltenham, UK- "Truly outstanding work time and effort needed is amazing."
• 3rd - William Axmacher, USA - "To craft something that totally works from the air is great time and effort"