Harrogate in Bloom

What a night at Britain in Bloom Awards. We got a gold medal. Thank you to all Team Harrogate who helped us achieve that. And congratulations to Catherine Baxter of the very special Woodlands Community Garden who was chosen by the judges as a Growing Communities champion.

BIB awards well underway. Congratulations to all entrants and winners and to RHS as awards are very well organised. We have dinner before we will know how well we've done. It's a bit like Strictly!

Six of us from Team Harrogate here in Londin at Britain in Bloom Awards 2019. Started with fizz - let the celebrations begin. Fingers crossed.

Hang on - a theme is developing! Hear from @harrogatewines later on this afternoon as @strayfmwill celebrates #YorkshireDay with @HarrogateBID

Judging is over as Bill and James safely deposited at the station for a long journey north to judge Kirkcaldy. A huge thank you to them and to all who helped today. It makes you humble to see how much the Team Harrogate volunteers do for Harrogate & thanks to all at the council.

James Cain MD Harrogate Spring Water met judges to talk about Harrogate’s spa history.Over 100 natural springs are recorded in Harrogate (more than anywhere in the world).No horrid sulphur water in the modern day bottled Harrogate Water. A world leading and award winning brand.

Old Magnesia Well Pump Room built in 1858 in the Valley Gardens has a new lease of life thanks to the Friends.Fully restored in 2012 it’s now a visitor & education centre.It’s thanks to this well that we have the Valley Gardens.

Our final stop the magnificent Valley Gardens.We met some of the Friends Group who do so much to enhance and maintain this jewel in our crown and Simon Collier who leads a very small team of council gardeners.Simon has just celebrated 30 years with the council. He is a legend.

Here we are at Woodlands Community Garden.This really really is a community garden with young and old enjoying this special place and each other’s company. The judges had a visit to Daniel’s ‘den’ before the children had croissants from the pizza oven. Sadly we had to dash off!

Next time you visit Wetherby Rd tip pop next door to Stonefall Park once a quarry & brickworks, the park is now wildlife & wildflower oasis.Created by the council in the 1980s when Chris Beard was head of parks now he leads the Hookstone and Stonefall Park volunteers’ group.

Fleur Kean of Brackenfield School took time out from her holidays to tell judges all about her winning design for a flower bed in our school summer art competition. Bill asked her why shaped like a circle and Fleur explained the theme was Harrogate hosting the UCI in Sept.

We took a few minutes to listen to introduction from Harry who runs free walking tours of Harrogate. No wonder his tours are popular. Entertaining and interesting and he knows his Harrogate stuff!

Next was Rogers Almshouses to meet Trustee Stuart Holland.The garden was re-landscaped for 2018 to celebrate charity’s 150th anniversary. The almshouses were a gift from Bradford textile manufacturer & philanthropist George Rogers.This garden has recently won two major awards.

Sam the council’s Countryside Ranger and also our driver for the tour was out of the mini-bus for this stop to tell judges all about Rossett Nature Reserve. Lots of bugs and insects and even a water snail swimming upside down.

Mmm the veg and fruit at Harlow Hill Allotments was next up for judges tour. Angela Dicken answered lots of questions about the site and Bill and James were keen to hear that young families are growing their own. Lots of children are getting involved too.

We were delighted to ask our Britain in Bloom judges to present Richard Taylor School with their winning trophy & certificate having won our inaugural Schools’ Garden Competition a new category in our summer 2019 awards. These pupils are a credit to their school & family.

Richard Taylor C of E School told Britain in Bloom judges how gardening and caring for the environment is enhancing their well-being. These youngsters were knowledgeable, calm, clear and articulate. Stars of the future in whatever career path they take.

Yorkshire Day today! And judging day for Britain in Bloom. We are all wearing White Roses, waiting to welcome judges Bill Romald and James Cordingley as we start our tour setting off from RHS Harlow Carr.

Working with Harrogate Council & Harrogate District Improvement Trust we’ve launched new voluntary Group ‘Friends of Harrogate Town Centre’. First event on 29 July giving town a final spruce up before Britain in Bloom judging on 1 August.Thanks to all who helped.