Village hopes its tally of Bloom awards will grow
WASHINGTON Village has welcomed the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom judges, as they hope to bring home another national honour in the coveted flower and landscaping competition.
The village is pitted against five other displays across the United Kingdom, in the Best Village category of Britain in Bloom after picking up a Best Village award and being named Northumbria’s champions for their entry last year.
Some 18 volunteers have been working alongside Sunderland City Council, local schools and businesses, the Princes Trust and the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to create stunning and colourful flower beds they hope have wowed the judging board on their recent visit.
Chair of Washington in Bloom, Joan Atkinson, said: “Our win last year was a tremendous boost for all the Bloom volunteers, but what really matters is the contribution that so many in our local community make, year after year, to keeping Washington village such a truly lovely place to live in or visit.”
Volunteers as well as representatives from organisations who have helped prepare the village gathered on Friday to welcome the judges.
The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Alison Smith, said: “It’s really exciting that Washington Village is representing our region in such a prestigious national competition.
“The volunteers have put in a tremendous
amount of work, not just for the Britain in Bloom awards but keeping the village looking its best all year round.”
Councillor Linda Williams, Cabinet Member for Vibrant City at Sunderland City Council, added: “Washington Village its looking absolutely gorgeous this summer and it’s all down to the hard work of volunteers and the collaborative effort of council staff, local businesses, the fire service, Princes Trust and Barclays Bank volunteers, local schools and scouts and residents. They have done a fantastic job.”
In the Britain in Bloom Village category, Washington are competing with Filby, Norfolk; Irthington, Cumbria; Amcotts, Lincolnshire; Elswick, Lancashire; Donaghmore, Ulster.
Kay Clark, RHS Community Development Manager, said: “We’re excited that Britain in Bloom UK Finals will return in full force this year, featuring some new competitors, new audiences and underpinned by a new found admiration for all that our public green spaces provide and mean to us.”
Washington in Bloom were successful in their 2021 Northumbria in Bloom competition, winning the Best Overall Entry category. Their endeavours were described by the competition as: “A fantastic example of Northumbria in Bloom at its best. The whole village works together seamlessly and has achieved stunning results that are appreciated by all.”
They will hear if they have won on October 10, when the Britain in Bloom awards are announced at a ceremony at the RHS headquarters in London.