Green-fingered gardeners are celebrating after a ceremony revealed the winners of the ‘Beautiful Durham’ competition.
The scheme, hosted by Durham County Council, encourages residents, businesses, schools and community groups to brighten up their properties or public spaces in Durham City and surrounding villages.
Now in its 32nd consecutive year, Beautiful Durham encouraged an array of attractive floral displays and environmental improvements to provide a burst of colour to local communities.
All entries contributed to the overall efforts of the city in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Northumbria in Bloom competition, where only last month Durham City won Gold and category winner in the Small City category and the Percy Boydell Trophy for best overall entry.
Consisting of 13 categories, Beautiful Durham also has an additional judges’ discretionary award category for outstanding effort.
The best overall entry award was won by Fred and Bonny Bainbridge from Brancepeth, while special recognition for enthusiasm and commitment was given to Adam Foster for Sherburn Primary School.
Judging took place in July and assessments considered various criteria including visual impact, colour/texture, presentation, maintenance, environmental awareness and where applicable, community involvement.
Cllr Bill Kellett, Chairman of the Council and Mayor of Durham City, presented the certificates and trophies.
“I am delighted to present these awards which recognise those who have made an excellent contribution to their local environment,” he said.
“This competition enables local amateur gardeners to showcase their greener credentials and all those who have taken part should be proud of their hard work over the last year.”
Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in the annual Beautiful Durham competition, which continues to go from strength to strength.
“I’m sure most people would agree all entries are winners, as they have helped make Durham and surrounding villages such an attractive place to live, study, work and visit.”
Beautiful Durham 2017 winners:
Best business premises
Court Inn, Durham – Winner
Daleside Arms, Croxdale – Special commendation
Finchale Abbey Village, Brasside – Special commendation
Finchale View Riding School, Leamside – Special commendation
Best group horticultural project
Sherburn Primary School (Village site) – Winner
Belmont Allotments Club – Special commendation
Durham Gilesgate Primary School Community Allotment – Special commendation
Ethicare Hub Sensory Allotment, Gilesgate – Special commendation
Finchale View Riding School, Leamside – Special commendation
Salvation Army, Christopher Carman, Sherburn Hill – Special commendation
Sherburn Village Bowling Club – Special commendation
St Mary’s Church, West Rainton – Certificate of merit
Best sheltered accommodation
Sherburn Hospital Care Home – Winner
The Orchards, Brandon – Special commendation
Durham’s best kept residential area
Finchale Abbey Village, Brasside – Winner
Best floral containers
Margaret Hands, Framwellgate Moor – Joint Winner
Janet Jury, Kelloe – Joint Winner
- Crago, Sherburn Village – Special commendation
Wendy Davison, Witton Gilbert – Special commendation
Finchale Abbey Village, Brasside – Special commendation
Finchale View Riding School, Leamside – Special commendation
Christopher Michael Horton, Brandon – Special commendation
Faezah Maria Kirk, Kelloe – Special commendation
The Orchards, Brandon – Special commendation
Brenda Turnbull, Kelloe – Special commendation
West Rainton and Leamside Partnership – Special commendation
Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council, Langley Moor – Certificate of merit
Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council, Waterhouses Village Hall – Certificate of merit
Best house garden – small
Wendy Davison, Witton Gilbert – Winner
Frank Barrass, Sherburn Village – Special commendation
Finchale Abbey Village, Brasside, Plot 38 – Special commendation
Janis Hunter, Kelloe – Special commendation
Faezah Maria Kirk, Kelloe – Special commendation
Alan Rowell, Belmont – Special commendation
Brenda Turnbull, Kelloe – Special commendation
Dennis Hughes, Ludworth – Certificate of merit
Best house garden – medium
Philip M P Wall, Belmont – Winner
Dennis Brown, Durham – Special commendation
Margaret Hands, Framwellgate Moor – special commendation
Janet Jury, Kelloe – special commendation
Dennis Hughes, Ludworth – Special commendation
Kathleen Tweddle, West Rainton – Certificate of merit
Best house garden – large
Fred and Bonny Bainbridge, Brancepeth – Winner
Christine and John Deller, Shincliffe Village – Special commendation
David and Geraldine Huntley, Durham – Special commendation
Mr and Mrs Young, High Wooley – Special commendation
Jean Ritchie and Maria Morritt, Ushaw Moor – Certificate of merit
Best back yard or patio garden
Faezah Maria Kirk, Kelloe – Winner
Finchale View Riding School, Leamside – Special commendation
Janis Hunter, Kelloe – Special commendation
Alan Rowell, Belmont – Special commendation
Jean Ritchie and Maria Morritt, Ushaw Moor – Certificate of merit
Best allotment or kitchen garden
Ann Shilton, Belmont – Winner
Kathryn, Martin, Daniel, Jack and Elijah Cann, Durham – Special commendation
Jane Draper, Belmont – Special commendation
Colin Hancock, Belmont – Special commendation
Ron Potter, Belmont – Special commendation
Alan Rowell, Belmont – Special commendation
Diana Snowdon, Waterhouses – Special commendation
Richard Hockin, West Rainton – Certificate of merit
Best small village
Shincliffe Village – Winner
Best Village
High Shincliffe – Winner
Best Large Village
Sherburn Village Parish Council – Winner
Belmont Parish Council – Special commendation
Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council, Broompark – Certificate of merit
West Rainton and Leamside Partnership – Certificate of merit
Judges’ Discretionary Awards
Best Environmental Improvement Award
St Mary’s Church, West Rainton
Best New Entry
Ethicare Hub Sensory Allotment, Gilesgate
Special recognition for plantmanship
Dennis Brown, Durham
Most wildlife friendly garden
Dennis Hughes, Ludworth
Special recognition for enthusiasm and commitment
Adam Foster – Sherburn Primary School (Village site)
Best overall entry
Fred and Bonny Bainbridge, Brancepeth
This year’s competition was sponsored by:
Belmont Parish Council
Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council
Croxdale and Hett Parish Council
Belmont Allotments Club
Poplar Tree Garden Centre
The Court Inn, Durham
For more information visit www.durham.gov.uk/beautifuldurham or call 03000 261 000.