Region shines in national Britain in Bloom awards
Gardeners from the region took home a top prize and a haul of medals at the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Belfast.
Durham won the small city category and was awarded a gold medal, with Morpeth and Ponteland in Northumberland also clinching gold and Tanfield in County Durham earning a silver gilt.
The Northumbria entries, which cover an area from the Borders to North Yorkshire, battled what judges have declared the toughest year on record with communities fighting to keep blooms alive.
The four finalists were chosen following success in Northumbria in Bloom the previous year to compete against 76 groups from across the UK in 12 categories.
Durham competed against Derry in Northern Ireland, Rochdale and Shrewsbury to take the top title, impressing the RHS judges with its creative floral displays, standout horticulture and community partnerships, including at the cathedral, city centre roundabouts and Wharton Park.
Morpeth wowed with vibrant planting at Sanderson Arcade, pockets of wildflowers and a restored floral clock with working mechanism in Carlisle Park.
Ponteland, was praised for its “wonderful” community spirit, sensory garden and poppy display to commemorate the First World War centenary.
First-time finalist Tanfield was congratulated on its achievements over the past five years, thanks to the community’s “infectious enthusiasm and passion” for their village.
Finalists are judged on their horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility with the RHS judges visiting communities from the end of July after months of hot and dry weather.
Darren Share, chairman of the RHS Britain in Bloom, judges, said: “This year’s finalists faced the most challenging conditions the competition has ever seen with much of the country under snow and ice at the start of spring followed by the jointhottest summer on record.
“That so many groups have walked away with top medals is remarkable and a reflection of communities’ hard work, ingenuity and horticultural know-how.”
The full results can be found on- line at www.rhs.org.uk/blooma- wards2018 For more information, plus cook what you grow, recipes, environ- mental news and more, log on to the website at www.mandycanudigit. com – which is also now smartphone friendly. You can also follow Mandy onTwitter@MandyCanUDigItoryou can like me on my Facebook page at Mandycanudigit