Results of Northumbria in Bloom 2009
AWARDS 2009
THE THREE “Rs” WIN GOLD FOR THE REGION’S FLOOD HIT TOWN
Flood damaged Morpeth wins Gold and the title of Best Town in the Northumbria in Bloom Awards 2009.
A year after record level floods swept through the town, Morpeth has won a Gold award for its floral excellence and the community’s efforts to brighten up the town.
The judges were impressed by how well everyone had pulled together throughout the year to keep Morpeth clean and attractive, enhancing its local heritage and pride of place. It has certainly lived up to its theme this year “Restore, Rebuild, Renew”
The local traders also won the Trophy for the Best Shopping Centre. Hundreds of baskets and tubs sponsored by local businesses were overflowing with flowers and adorned Morpeth’s shopping streets to create a blaze of colour for shoppers and visitors throughout the summer.
The awards were announced in a colourful ceremony organised by Northumbria in Bloom at the Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre in Durham today (Monday Sept 14th)
In the region’s horticultural championships hundreds of enthusiasts were rewarded with Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze awards for their efforts in brightening up where they live and work.
Newcastle rejoined the competition this year with a bang winning a Gold Medal for the impact of its stunning floral displays around the Central station and the two cathedrals.
Sunderland kept up its recent high standard and also won Gold and the Best Large City Trophy for its street displays and its magnificent Mowbray Park.
The overall best entry, the community which won the highest marks, was the North Tyneside village of Earsdon. The village has reached such a high standard it is now ranked among the best in the country - in the national Britain in Bloom ‘Champion of Champions’ League. Once again the enthusiasm of all the villagers worked wonders. The judges loved the year round colour, quality and quantity of the planting.
Eileen Burn, Northumbria in Bloom Chairman, said gardeners are eternal optimists.
“It’s wonderful to see how Morpeth and other flood affected areas fought back after the disaster of last year back to blossom again with such enthusiasm. We gardeners never give up.”
Over eighty entries reached gold standard in their class this year, a stunning achievement by the men, women, and children who transformed their communities.
Northumbria in Bloom is supported this year by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund.
BEST OVERALL ENTRY 2009
EARSDON
The small village of Earsdon steals the honours once again as best of the best.
The Percy Boydell Trophy for the best overall entry in the Northumbria in Bloom competition 2009 went to North Tyneside which has won the accolade before to become a national trailblazer.
It was highly praised by the judges for its outstanding floral impact and the passion and commitment of all the villagers which gave them the edge over other competitors.
Eileen Burn says the judges look for much more than pretty flowerbeds in spring and summer.
“Floral excellence is vital but not enough. These days, permanent sustainable planting involving trees and shrubs, conservation projects, cleanliness and year round community effort are all included in the final marks. The aim is for people to have fun while enhancing where they live and work throughout the year. Earsdon is a superb example of what can be achieved by involving all the skills in a community, not just the gardeners.”
Earsdon won Gold and Best Village in the National Britain in Bloom Awards 2008.
TROPHY WINNERS 2009:
(Classes according to population size)
Best small village: STANGHOW
Best village: EARSDON
Best large village: WARKWORTH
Best small town: SEDGEFIELD
Best town: MORPETH
Best large town: DURHAM
Best small city DARLINGTON
Best city STOCKTON ON TEES
Best large city SUNDERLAND
Best urban community ESTON
Best coastal resort SALTBURN BY THE SEA
Most improved entry LINGDALE
OTHER AWARDS
Outstanding contribution to Northumbria in Bloom by a salaried individual; Peter Tate, Washington for his excellent work as schools gardens advisor.
Outstanding contribution to Northumbria in Bloom by a private individual: Joan Russell for her outstanding efforts to improve the Prudhoe Community Allotment.
Best school horticultural project: Holly Park Primary School, Washington
Best voluntary project: The Hermitage Garden, Whickham
Best business park Rainton Bridge South Business Park, Hetton le Hole
Best combined efforts of residents of a clearly defined community: St Cuthbert’s Court Residents, Thornaby on Tees
Best kept grounds of a care home: Jane Percy House, Cramlington
Best kept grounds of a religious establishment: St Michael & All Angels Church, Felton.
Best individual commercial premises: Rutherfords, Morpeth
Best conservation project: Saltburn Valley Gardens
Best railway, bus or metro station: Saltburn Railway Station
Best kept external premises of pubs or hotels: Ashcroft Hotel, Haltwhistle
Best park in town classes: Ridley Park, Blyth
Best shopping precinct or retail park: Morpeth and District Chamber of Trade
Best hospice, hospital or medical centre grounds: St Benedict’s Hospice, Sunderland
Best prison, collage, university or sports ground: Mainsforth Sports Complex, Ferryhill
For innovation in parks and open spaces: The Crazy Golf Course in Jubilee Park, Spennymoor
RHS Neighbourhood Awards were given to:
The Hawcocks Memorial Homes, Middleton St George
Whitby Rise Care Home, Houghton le Spring
Millbeck Grove, Houghton le Spring
Laurel Road, Saltburn by the Sea
Brotton Bowls Club
Riverside Residents Association, Chester le Street
Ouston and Urpeth Conservation Volunteers
Parishioners and volunteers of St Mary and St Cuthberts Church, Chester le Street
NE4Veg, Elliott House, Newcastle upon Tyne
Friends of Iris Brickfield, Newcastle upon Tyne
Bishopwearmouth Horticultural Nursery, Sunderland
Barley Mow Park Sensory Garden, Sunderland
Ox Close Primary School Community Garden, Spennymoor
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
* The Northumbria in Bloom Awards began in the region over 40 years ago. Their aim is to encourage everyone to take care of their local environment and to brighten it up using trees, shrubs and flowers.
*The organisers believe by taking part, competitors develop community spirit and increase public pride in the community.
* The competition has been organised to cover every type of community, ranging from large cities to small villages, urban communities to seaside towns.
* Northumbria in Bloom also awards prizes in recognition of more individual achievements such as best voluntary project, best pub or hotel and best individual contributor to the competition.
* Community involvement is as important as floral displays and as the public's environmental awareness increases, cleanliness, conservation and sustainability have become more important considerations for the judges.
* Judges now give credit to places where volunteers are as involved as the local authority and where local businesses join in with extra manpower or sponsorship support.
For further information contact: Mrs Eileen Burn 01434 270 228
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Northumbria in Bloom website is: www.northumbriainbloom.co.uk
