Earsdon’s blooms lift the best in Britain title

Sep 27 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

GREEN-FINGERED volunteers from across the North East have been awarded for their dedication to making their communities more beautiful places to live.

In total five North East areas picked-up awards in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition – a national campaign that recognises the dedication of people to improving the place in which they live.

But it was Earsdon in North Tyneside which scooped the top prize.

Their floral exhibitions earned them the a gold award as the best village in the country, after narrowly missing out on the top spot last year.

Twelve months ago they were awarded second place in the competition, but this year they picked up not only the gold but also the overall category winner prize.

Royal Horticultural Society judges Jeff Bates said: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit this lovely village, where community spirit leaks from every pore.”

The Britain in Bloom judges presented 69 finalist communities – selected from more than 1,000 competitors – with awards of gold, silver gilt, silver or bronze. Each entrant was marked on their floral displays, permanent landscaping, sustainable development, environmental initiatives, public awareness and community participation.

Gateshead Borough through Whickham also received recognition after being handed the silver award in the competition for best small city or large town and Special praise was poured on great-grandad Dave Peacock who was named one of just six community champions for his work in transforming the neglected Hermitage garden into a peaceful haven.

Flood-hit Morpeth received a morale boost when it was presented with a silver gilt award in the best town category and also took the Local Roots Award. And the town’s Les English also took a community champion awards. He said: “This is great news for Morpeth and a great honour for me. I hope it will give people a lift.”

Meanwhile South Shields won silver award in the best coastal community category.

Roger Burnett, chairman of the Britain in Bloom judging panel, said: “This year has once again proved that the competition recognises all that is great about Britain.

“Despite the poor summer weather, the finalists proved beyond doubt just what can be achieved when communities work together.

“Britain in Bloom has, in the past, been seen as a floral competition judged on the quality and quantity of hanging baskets and bedding plants.

“However with the recent shift towards sustainable planting and environmental responsibility, we are seeing fantastic innovation not only in style of planting but in the choice of plants used.”