The Competitions in 2006
 

Judging for the Alnwick in Bloom competitions takes place in the first week in August. There are no entries required to the competition because every household and business in the town is automatically entered. But if anyone would like to draw the judges' attention to a particular display, they should contact Alnwick in Bloom secretary Majorie Brown. The competition is judged in three categories:

1. Best front garden.

2. Best display from containers (for those who do not have front gardens).

3. Best business premises.

In each category, salvers are awarded to first, second and third, and certificates to displays that are highly commended and commended.

There is also a one-off prize to the best community effort, for the community that has rallied round to create the best display.

 

In the News

Town blossoms with pride - Northumberland Gazette, January 26, 2006

Future looks bloomin' great - Northumberland Gazette, December 1, 2005

Saved, thanks to the Gazette - Northumberland Gazette, October 13, 2005

 

Diary - Key Dates

September 2005
• Presentation of awards ceremony for the Alnwick summer gardens competition, which involves residents and businesses. The winners were:
Best Front Garden - D. Dundas, 11 Lower Barresdale
Best Display from Containers - J. Avery and J. Roper, 5 Aydon Crescent.
Best Business Premises - The Playhouse, Bondgate Without
Best Community Effort - 'The Harry Pottergate Garden', Mr R. Fenwick & friends

March 2006
• Inaugural meeting of Northumbria in Bloom - Northumberland Hall, Alnwick

April 2006
• ‘Beating the Drum’ throughout town in preparation for the Spring visit of
the Northumbria in Bloom Judges
• 24th April - Alnwick school children’s painting competition for Northumbria in
Bloom theme.
• 27th April - Northumbria in Bloom Spring Judging and feedback

May 2006
• Public display of paintings

June 2006
• Initiatives organised in Schools around the town
• 25th June - Awards ceremony for children’s painting competition

July 2006
• Canopy tent and stall in Alnwick Market Place to inform the residents and holiday makers
• Meeting with District Council to finalise cleansing strategy for high visitor season
• Town inspection with District Council representatives to compile list of items requiring alteration and attention
• Photography of planting areas completed
• 12th July - Northumbria in Bloom summer inspection

July / August 2006
• Alnwick Summer Gardens competition. The Alnwick Garden staff, Derek Horton, head gardener, and Jane Johnson, assistant head gardener, will this year judge the town's gardens. They will tour the town looking at gardens and business premises and then draw up a shortlist to subsequently revisit, with the committee chairman, Tom Pattinson. These gardens are visited several times and judged against set criteria. Prior to including them in the awards finals, the committee ensure residents are approached and in agreement. The categories for this competition are: best front gardens, best display from containers, best business premises and best communal effort. The awards which are presented by the Mayor in the Town Hall are: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Highly Commended, Commended and Placed. There is also a Special Award of Merit to encourage and express thanks and recognition.