Menu

Elswick lands gold in RHS Britain in Bloom finals

Posted on - 20th October, 2022 - 7:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Fylde News, Preston News, Wildlife and Conservation, Woodplumpton
A floral display on the drive into Elswick. Pic: Google

Elswick has secured the gold award for best North West village in the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom finals.

The 45 UK finalists landed nominations after impressing the judges in their regional and national competitions, aiming to limit their environmental impact with more water butts, recycled materials and drought-tolerant species than ever before.

In addition to gold, silver gilt, silver or bronze medals, groups competed in categories including town, village and business improvement district to be named overall category winners and were nominated for a series of discretionary awards by a panel of judges.

Read more: Croston and Elswick named finalists in RHS Britain in Bloom 2020

Darren Share, a chair of the RHS Britain in Bloom judges, said: “Congratulations to all the finalists for putting on such impressive displays this year while embracing sustainable horticulture.

“We enjoyed seeing the forward-thinking ways groups work to make their planting more resilient to climate change and contribute to carbon reduction in their communities. Amersham were well-deserving winners, with their stunning horticulture backed up with a holistic approach to benefiting nature and the environment.”

Amersham in Buckinghamshire took the top prize, crowned overall winner alongside a gold medal and winning their category (town), wowing judges with their sustainable displays, innovative projects and engagement with the community.

Read more: Elswick woman honours niece during 20-mile fundraiser for Rainbow Hub 

The town also scooped the sustainability award for their holistic approach to planet-friendly horticulture, ensuring there were flowering varieties year-round, swapping out short-lived annuals and increasing wildflowers in the town by 30 per cent.

Category winners also included:

  • Dunstable in Bedfordshire (large town) featured green roofs on bus shelters that withstood this summer’s extreme temperatures and a rain garden planted with perennials that acts as a local flood protection system; 
  • North Berwick in Scotland (coastal) planted perennial shrubs to cope with harsh maritime conditions, removed bags of invasive cineraria from the sand dunes and installed 15 troughs of herbs and vegetables for the community to pick;
  • Rochdale in Greater Manchester (small city) planted over 3,000 trees, created three wildflower meadows and brightened alleyways with colourful planting. The group has engaged with a wide variety of groups in the community, including hospices, mosques, schools and businesses.

Read more: Lancashire County Council calls for clarity on local fracking consent

Other winners included Danny Poland from the Cumbrian village of Irthington – a first-time competitor. Danny won the young champion award as he and his team combatted the dry weather with his inventive ‘hydration station’ – a bicycle towing a water butt.

Kingsbridge in Devon won the award for horticultural excellence, with their plants ‘exceptionally well-cared for and still in prime condition’ at the end of summer, including their ‘eye-catching’ tranquillity trail.

Rachel de Thame said: “It has been fantastic to celebrate gardening groups from across the UK who contribute so much to their communities.

“From helping wildlife to engaging young people in the power of plants and helping grow a green future, all the volunteers work tirelessly to create areas of which local people can be proud. Britain is most certainly blooming.”

Read more: Highgate Wood boardwalk in Fulwood repaired and back open

Winners were presented with their trophies at the RHS Britain in Bloom 2022 awards ceremony, held in London, and unveiled to the public on BBC One’s The One Show.

For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved



Read moreSee the latest Preston news and headlines

Share
Preston in pictures Preston - former Martins Bank, 181 Friargate 241019 2Preston - former Midland Bank, 39:40 Fishergate 241019Preston [Listed Building Grade II] - Shelley Assurance Building 241019Preston [Listed Building Grade II] - TSB Bank, 96 Fishergate 241019Entering Preston Bus StationRamp to the Car Park at Preston Bus StationClaytons Gate PrestonWaiting, Preston Bus Station View more
Advertisement
Subscribe to the newsletter

Sign up below to receive Blog Preston's email newsletter. It wings its way into inboxes every Sunday and Wednesday rounding up our top stories and more.

Advertisement
News by location

Find news by location, select an area of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

The Preston Guide

Discover local businesses and services near you.

Advertisement
Categories

Find news by category, select an category of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

Blog Preston email updates

Receive our digest of the biggest and best stories every Sunday to your email inbox

We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time from our emails