A blooming marvellous result for Northumberland
19 Oct 2022 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
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.
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.
Alnwick bloomed in a number of categories, most notably the Best Town and the Best Entry in Spring category. The Cookie Jar was joint winner of the best hotel/guest house. The Alnwick Garden took the prize for Best Tourist or Visitor Attraction and The John Bull pub in the town won the best pub.
Blyth also did well with Ridley Park winning Gold in the parks category and the town winning silver gilt in the large town category. The Friends of Crofton Field also won Gold in the special awards for conservation.
Hexham also excelled with awards for Hexham Parks, Hexham Golf Club, Hexham Cemetery and The County Hotel. Wydon Water won the best conservation project – while two community groups, Hexham Abbey Gardeners and Hexham Space for Nature were graded as outstanding.
Holywell won silver gilt and best in class in the large village category, while Seaton Delaval won silver gilt in Town centre retail areas.
Northumberland County Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet member for local services said:
“These communities, parks and public spaces look wonderful because of the effort that goes into tending and caring for them.
“Bloom Awards aren't achieved overnight, and a lot of time is put in all year round with clean ups, tidying and planting.
“I’d like to congratulate all the local groups, volunteers, businesses and town and county council staff who take part and work so hard and with such commitment to create beautiful displays across our county. They have done a fantastic job and that is reflected in the abundance of awards.”
Other Northumbria in Bloom results include:
Best Religious Establishment: Hexham Cemetery (Gold), and Alnwick cemetery (Silver Gilt)
Best Large Commercial Premises: Ord House Country Park, Berwick, Woodhill Hall, Otterburn (Silver Gilt)
Best Conservation: Wydon Water, Hexham
Best Bus/Metro/Railway Station: Alnmouth
Best Sports Ground: Hexham Golf Club
Best commercial business (small) – Lesbury Post Office
Best school category Swansfield Park School, Alnwick (Gold)
Best care/residential home/hospice or day care - Concord House, Holywell (Silver Gilt)
Best Park - Ridley Park, Blyth (Gold) Hexham Parks (Silver Gilt)
Best residential community - Orchard Terrace, Lesbury (Gold), St. Paul’s Court, Alnwick (Gold)
Best allotments - St. James’s Allotment Site, Alnwick (Silver Gilt)
Joint best hotel/guest house - The Cookie Jar, Alnwick (Gold), Walls Bed & Breakfast, Berwick (Gold), The County Hotel, Hexham (Silver Gilt)
Best conservation - Wydon Water, Hexham (Gold), Friends of Crofton Field, Blyth (Gold), Bullfield Community Orchard, Alnwick (Silver Gilt), East Ord Nature Walk, Berwick (Gold)
Best Private Garden - Swansfield Park Road, Alnwick (Gold)
In the neighbourhood awards, the following groups received Level 5, Outstanding status
Hirst Park Community Allotment and Garden, Ashington
Hope House Lane and Meadow Riggs Jubilee Orchard, Alnwick
Friends of Castle Parks, Berwick
Hexham Abbey Gardeners
Hexham Space for Nature
The Pottergate Centre, Alnwick