Green fingered Northumbrians did the county proud again as they collected a string of awards after impressing judges in this year’s Northumbria in Bloom competition.
The competition, now in its 60th year, is all about encouraging local communities to improve their area through community gardening and sound environmental practises. It is part of the UK wide Britain in Bloom campaign run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Dozens of towns, villages and businesses showed off their floral displays, summer planting and well-tended parks and gardens in the competition which has seen communities, town and parish councils and county council staff pull together to show off local neighbourhoods at their best.
The county did exceptionally well, scooping top awards in a number of categories including awards for conservation, parks, towns, villages, and for town centre retail areas. However, it was the town of Alnwick that really shone the brightest scooping Gold in many of the awards.
The Best Overall Entry went to Alnwick in Bloom. Alnwick also scooped Gold in the Best Town category. The judges said the team really understood what works for their town, its residents and their visitors. There is true year-round interest in the themed planting schemes and the artwork, all maintained to a very high standard. There are very strong community links, with volunteers, local schoolchildren and The Alnwick Garden all working together to produce a stunning entry. Special mention was given to the flower beds, hanging baskets, container planting and the public seating.
Alnwick also bloomed in a number of other categories: The Pottergate Centre, The Alnwick Cemetry, The Cookie Jar, The Alnwick Garden, The Willowburn Sports Centre, Robert Adam Court, The Alnwick Roots and Shoots project and The John Bull Pub all won their respective categories, while George Turner of Swansfield Park Road, Alnwick won Gold in the Best Private Garden.
Holywell near Seaton Delaval was winner of the Large Villages category and received a Silver Gilt award. The judges said “The whole Holywell team should be commended for their enthusiasm and hard work. Mention should be made of their close cooperation with the staff from the local authority who try hard to complement the group’s efforts in hard economic times. The result is a thriving group that does so much for its community.”
Cramlington also excelled with awards for The Large Town Category, The Best Pub, The Best Conservation, The Best Park and The Best Town Retail Area.
The Friends of Valley Park, Cramlington won the Best Conservation Award. The judges said:
“This 52-acre site is enthusiastically looked after by a group of up to 60 volunteers. They maintain the meadow, woodland and newly created pond for the benefit of the entire local community - local residents are encouraged to pick the ripe fruit in the orchard. It has recently been awarded the Green Flag for its Community Involvement - a recent collaboration saw school children release butterflies which they had nurtured at school from caterpillars! This is a much-loved asset to the residents, Cramlington in general and of course the local wildlife!”
Northumberland County Councillor Colin Horncastle , Cabinet member for Looking after our Environment said: “This year marked the amazing 60th anniversary of the Bloom Awards – a fantastic milestone in which we can celebrate all that has been collectively achieved in improving and transforming local environments across the county, and wider region.
“ Our communities, parks and public spaces look wonderful and are enjoyed by so many, because of all the hard work that goes into tending and caring for them and once again Northumberland has received an abundance of Bloom Awards.
“I’d like to thank and congratulate all the local groups, volunteers, businesses and town and county council staff who take part and work so hard and with such commitment throughout the year to create beautiful displays across our county and instil a real sense of pride in our communities. “
Photo : Members of Alnwick in Bloom with the Percy Boydell Trophy awarded to Alnwick as Best Overall Entry to Alnwick at the 2024 Northumbria in Bloom award ceremony
Other Northumbria in Bloom results include:
Best Town – Winner Alnwick - Gold
Large Town Category Cramlington – Silver Gilt
Best Care/Residential/Convalescent Home, Hospice or Day Centre - Pottergate Centre, Alnwick - Gold
Best Religious Establishment Alnwick Cemetery – Gold
Best Large Commercial Premises Winner Ord House Country Park, Berwick - Gold
The Best Pub – Winner - The John Bull, Alnwick - Gold
Blagdon Arms, Cramlington - Silver
Ord House Lounge, Bar and Grill - Gold
Three Horseshoes, Cowpen Bewley - Bronze
Best Hotel / Guest House Winner The Cookie Jar, Alnwick - Gold
Best Conservation - Winner Friends of Valley Park, Cramlington - Gold
East Ord Nature Walk - Gold
Best Bus/Metro/Railway Station – Winner Friends of Alnmouth Station - Gold
Best Park - Alexandra Park, Cramlington - Silver Gilt
Best Town Retail Area - Manor Walks Shopping Centre, Cramlington - Gold
Best Private Garden - George Turner, Swansfield Park Road, Alnwick - Gold
Best Grounds of a Hospital, University or Public Building - Winner Willowburn Sports & Leisure Centre - Gold
Best Sports Ground - Anne Welfare Bowling Club, Cramlington - Silver Gilt
Best Residential Community Winner Robert Adam Court, Alnwick - Gold
Best Allotment - Roots and Shoots, Alnwick Garden - Gold
Best Tourist or Visitor Attraction, or Country Estate – Winner The Alnwick Garden - Gold
Northumberlandia, Cramlington - Silver Gilt