High praise for blooming year

Fylde's dedicated volunteer gardeners have been praised for a blooming great year by the boss of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Britain In Bloom judges Sue Wood and David Jamieson at Park View 4U in Lytham for Britain with Susan Evans, David Kerr of Lytham In Bloom and Parl View 4U ranger Julie NormanBritain In Bloom judges Sue Wood and David Jamieson at Park View 4U in Lytham for Britain with Susan Evans, David Kerr of Lytham In Bloom and Parl View 4U ranger Julie Norman
Britain In Bloom judges Sue Wood and David Jamieson at Park View 4U in Lytham for Britain with Susan Evans, David Kerr of Lytham In Bloom and Parl View 4U ranger Julie Norman

Sue Biggs, the Society’s director-general, has written to RHS Britain in Bloom and It’s Your Neighbour groups across the North West to thanked for what she terms ‘the amazing work’ done over the past year.

Among the region’s most notable achievements were those by Lytham, Freckleton and Elswick, who all starred at the RHS’s annual awards.

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Lytham narrowly missed out on a second UK Champion of Champions prize after its success at the first attempt in 2013, but took gold as the coastal resort up to 12,000 population representative in the Champion of Champions category. Freckleton won gold and was category winner in the Britain In Bloom small town section while Elswick took gold and was joint category winner in the village section – and has been invited to compete in Champion of Champions next year.

Sue said: “I want to take this opportunity to personally thank the hundreds of RHS Britain in Bloom and It’s Your Neighbourhood group volunteers across the North West for the work they have done to bring communities together and create greener, more environmentally friendly and healthier surroundings for all to enjoy.

“That so many people have given up their time and taken on the challenge of positively transforming their neighbourhoods is testament to their commitment to living in a greener and more pleasant place.

“Thank you to each and every one of them for helping to make Britain a cleaner, greener and more beautiful place to live.”

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Elswick councillor Paul Hayhurst said: “For us to win the gold award and to be invited back to compete in the Champion of Champions category is testimony to what hard work and Britain in Bloom can do for a community.”

Lytham In Bloom treasurer David Kerr said: “The judges praised a truly excellent overall entry from Lytham in Bloom that clearly exemplified how Bloom group, council and community can work together.”

For Freckleton in Bloom, it was third time lucky after two previous silver gilt awards on the national stage and chairman Sue Lee said: “It’s a real team effort. The judges gave us top marks on all aspects including community participation as well as horticultural impression and we are absolutely delighted.”