Yorkshire in Bloom record broken as spa towns and villages come up roses

Harrogate, Knaresborough, Starbeck and Spofforth were among the towns and villages that collected gold medals and category wins, while Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate won three awards.

A team of 70 judges picked their favourites over the summer from hundreds of entries from right across Yorkshire. The 24 category and 15 discretionary award winners were announced at a special ceremony.

Judges awarded either gold, silver gilt, silver or bronze accolades to all entrants based on horticultural displays, environmental responsibility and community participation.

Yorkshire in Bloom honorary administrator Trevor Hoyle said: “This has been a very successful award this year and we’re pleased to have more interest than ever before.

“We always feel that the villages are making their environments better by entering our competition.”

Harrogate was voted best in the large town/small city category, with the judges remarking that the town “was bedecked with colour, floral beds, baskets and tubs” and that it had been “a pleasure to visit”.

Knaresborough beat off competition from 13 other towns to win its category, with the judges saying “every little corner” had an eye-catching floral display.

Leeds pipped Barnsley and Hull in the city category, Ripon won the other large town section and the two coastal resort prizes went to Filey and Scarborough.

Mill Bank, Hutton Cranswick, Starbeck and Addingham also celebrated success in their competitions, while Spofforth and Redbourne shared the gold medal in the village category.

Yorkshire Lavender, at Terrington, near York, won the visitor attraction award, with Woolshops Shopping Centre, in Halifax, and Longbeach Leisure Park, in Hornsea, scooping the shopping centre and caravan park accolades respectively.

Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate shared the large business award with Sheffield Forgemasters.

Meanwhile York Racecourse won the highly prized Gold Rose Award for its many floral displays while head gardener Ian Halstead will get his name engraved on the Sawley Arms Trophy as the individual who has done the most to promote Yorkshire in Bloom.