IN BLOOM 2017

Click on the link below to view a video of the wonderful photographs taken in 2017.

watch video via Facebook

Saturday 16th September was about celebrating effort and community spirit, lots of people in the town go an extra mile to make the place special and that is what Prudhoe in Bloom is about. 

‘Taking Pride in Your Patch’ is why we have COMMUNITY AWARDS, we hope to build on these entries each year and see more and more examples popping up around the town.  Those who entered into the spirit of this section are those gardening and sprucing up patches that are not their own; maybe beside where they live or an extension of their own garden but we think everyone will agree they are doing ‘more’ to keep up appearances and make our little corner of the world a bit special.  We give these awards because of them – they have been ‘taking pride in their patch’ for some time. 

The entries in 2017 were:

Ruskin Court Lay – By, Moira Wooldridge and Barbara Young have been weeding and planting this neglected lay-by for four years and they can now look on and see the results, as can all neighbours and people passing through.  They have created a bug house and are all about encouraging bees and pollinators.  Vouchers from last year have been re-invested in the area.

We also have the much talked about Paddock Close, looked after by Tom Helm, George and Hazel Ather, Barbara and Hugh Robinson and Shirley Costello – they remain a social media sensation and last year thought they were being visited by unannounced judges when it was someone who had just visited to see what all the fuss was about.  The blooming results are the work of these four houses all pitching in and planting pots, tubs and baskets and if you haven’t seen them already, you must have a look. 

We also have again Bewick Garth at Mickley, this is quite a new project that started with grass-cutting at each side of the road that then went on to planting up tubs.  The area itself is enjoyed by residents, when the weather is kind, for village BBQ’s, the Queen's Tea Party and fundraising events.  Julie & Marc Fleck, Joan & Terry Lee and George & Jan Hepburn are the force behind the initiative and again they have reinvested vouchers from last year into the project.  The area is passed on the way to Cherryburn so is pleasing for visitors as well as residents.

There are two new entries this year, the first is the West Road Cemetery Group who have worked tirelessly and continue to do so to eventually open up this historical area to the public.  People are desperate to get in to look at headstones and remember family dating back as far as the 1800’s and it will be possible, watch this space!  There are too many names to mention all those involved; a definite team effort.

The 2nd new entry is Mickley Social Club.  Anyone travelling along the A695 must have noticed the new frontage and flower displays on show.  This has been carried out by volunteers; Ian Gilhome has looked after the beautiful window boxes and Andrew Stanton created new boards to display the events.  Volunteers are determined that Mickley Social Club will remain a part of the community and their efforts show how dedicated they are to making sure the club looks its best.

1st Place

PADDOCK CLOSE

Tom Helm, George and Hazel Ather, Shirley Costello and Barbara and Andy Robinson

2nd Place

RUSKIN COURT

Barbara Young and Moira Wooldridge

3rd Place

WEST ROAD CEMETERY

Highly Commended

MICKLEY SOCIAL CLUB

Ian Gilhome and Andrew Stanton

Highly Commended

BEWICK GARTH

Julie and Marc Fleck, Terry and Joan Lee and Jan and George Hepburn

Our very special HANGING BASKET AWARD was new in 2016, created specially in memory of Pauline Howdon, the late wife of Rob Howdon.  Pauline and Rob entered the Prudhoe in Bloom competition from the beginning when Ian Warburton ran it on behalf of the council.

The results for the Pauline Howdon Hanging Basket Awards are as follows:

Peter Hyman, Eastwood House, Bronze Award

 Adrian Porter, Scales Cresent, Platinum Award and winner for the South Ward 

 Ian & Pauline Gilhome, Cheviot View, Bronze Award 

 Rob Howdon, High Shaw, Gold Award 

 George & Margaret Tindall, Otter Burn Way, Platinum Award and winners for the North Ward 

Mr & Mrs Frazer, Castle Road, Gold Award

Mr & Mrs Hull, Maple Grove, Platinum Award

Mr & Mrs Scott, Lime Grove, Platinum Award

Mrs Milton, Burnside, Mickley, Gold Award and winner for Mickley Ward

Satya Varanasis, Castle Close, Gold Award

And the overall winner for the Best Hanging basket in the town, who went home with the Pauline Howdon Trophy was Mr Adrian Porter of Scales Crescent.

Moving onto our remarkable schools who support this competition each year and welcome Dean and Vivienne Readman of Hollybush Nursery into the school to chat with teachers and pupils about what they are doing.  This year the school competition has stepped up a gear with all schools achieving a Gold or above which is remarkable, and better still they talk to us about the future and doing even more.

Prudhoe West Academy - Gold

Adderlane Academy - Gold

St Matthews RC Primary - Gold

Mickley First School - Gold

Highfield Middle School - Gold

Prudhoe Castle First School - Platinum & Runner Up

Ferndene  - Platinum & Winner

All prize vouchers for the SCHOOL ENTRIES were donated by Tyne Valley Garden Centre, Mickley.

We alternate the judge for our Churches each year and this year the judge was Mrs Vivienne Bolton from Corbridge, a real flower and gardens expert who was recently back from a flower competition in the Caribbean.  All our Church gardens are maintained by volunteers not paid gardeners, here in Prudhoe there is a tremendous effort goes into looking after these areas for all.  Again the vouchers awarded to the winner and runner-up have been donated by Tyne Valley Garden Centre.

St George’s Church - Bronze Award

St Mary Magdalene Church - Gold Award

Prudhoe Methodist Church - Gold Award

Edgewell Christian Centre - Platinum Award & Runner Up

Our Lady & St Cuthbert’s Church - Platinum Award & Winner, collected by Mr Tommy Wilson

THE OVERALL WINNER OF THE BEST FRONT GARDEN IN THE TOWN was Mr Adrian Porter of Scales Crescent, taking home the trophy.

And THE OVERALL WINNER OF THE TROPHY FOR THE BEST REAR GARDEN IN THE TOWN goes again to Mrs Diane Hull of Maple Grove.

To see the entries and winners in each ward, please click on the link below:

All residential entries

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

The Prudhoe in Bloom Committee:  Janet Porter, Moira Wooldridge, James Dobson, Chris Cuthbert, George McCreedy and Yvonne Ritchie

Our judges; Mrs Vivienne Bolton of Corbridge (residential and churches), Dean and Vivienne Readman of Hollybush Landscaping (schools), James, Janet and Moira (businesses) and also Moira for the fantastic photographs.

Tyne Valley Garden Centre at Mickley for sponsoring the School and Church competition, stalwarts since 2012.

Prudhoe Parish Hall and Coffee Morning for allowing us to use the hall for the presentation and for the fabulous treats on offer.

Prudhoe & District U3A for allowing us to use the technology to show Moira’s wonderful photography and last but not least ... everyone who has supported the competition, either by entering or coming here today.