Congleton War Memorial Hospital has scooped a national award.

The hospital on Canal Road has been awarded a Bees' Needs Champion Award by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

It celebrates the latest green transformation led by renowned local community gardener, Patti Pinto.

She said: "It was an honour to travel to RHS Wisley to receive another Bees' Needs Champion Award on behalf of the hospital.

"My colleague and fellow gardener John Sherwood attended with me to receive the award from Mary Creagh MP, Minister for Nature, DEFRA.

"I believe that the flowers, which change with the season, bring joy to the patients and staff who walk by on their way to the hospital."

Patti is well known in the area for her environmental work with Congleton in Bloom, Trees for Congleton, and for designing the hospital's existing Wellbeing Garden.

More recently, she worked alongside fellow gardener John Sherwood to plant the borders surrounding the new Community Diagnostic Centre.

advertisement

This vibrant new green space has been funded by the William Dean Countryside and Educational Trust and brought to life with the support of dedicated local volunteer groups.

The project includes over 80 species of bee-friendly plants, carefully chosen to offer colour and nectar across changing seasons.

It also boasts a a mini orchard, native hedges, and a log pile habitat to support pollinators and local wildlife as well as landscaped borders that offer a peaceful spot for patients, visitors, and colleagues.