Winner of the Best Garden Lockdown Award - Katherine Reilly, Navan

Best Garden Lockdown Award - Katherine Reilly, Navan

There's an old saying: 'When the going gets tough the tough get going' and that certainly applied to Katherine Reilly who works in the HSE payroll department in Kells.

When the pandemic struck Katherine didn't complain. She got on with things and looked at ways of improving the world around her.

She turned to the task of embellishing her garden; her source of great joy and comfort. Among the additions Katherine made was a fairy garden for her nephew. She was looking ahead to the days when it would be safe to visit. Looking to the future with optimism.

When the sun came out Katherine was there, digging, planting, improving. Every now and again she would stop and talk to a passing neighbour and in this way she communicated with people; maintaining a connection that was vital in sustaining spirits, the food of the soul, during an unprecedented time.

"She deserves the world - her strength throughout all of this has meant so much to all of us," added her daughter Adele. "She is the powerhouse of the family and the epitome of what makes a house a home." Praise indeed.

Thanks to everyone who nominated friends, family, groups and communities for the first and (hopefully last) Meath Chronicle Lockdown Awards.

Thanks also to our wonderful sponsors who got behind the initiative: Meath Co Council, Utmost, Ecomm, Alltech and SuperValu.