Durham City is bidding for gardening glory once again – this time in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom Champion of Champions competition.
Durham in Bloom, a community-based campaign involving local businesses, residents, volunteers, Durham County Council and various partners, has been revealed as a contender for the prestigious accolade.
It comes after the city scooped double gold in the RHS Britain in Bloom competitions in 2014 and 2015.
The group will now battle it out for the first time with other high-quality entries from all over Britain for the much sought after title of Champion of Champions.
Oliver Sherratt, Durham County Council’s corporate director, neighbourhood services, said: “We are absolutely delighted and honoured that Durham City has been recognised once again, on a national stage, for its commitment to horticultural excellence.
“To be named as a contender in such a prestigious and respected competition is testament to the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the Durham in Bloom group and the volunteers who help ensure the city is a beautiful place to live, work and visit.”
Durham in Bloom will officially launch its campaign to become the Champion of Champions later in the spring.
Hundreds of volunteer hours are dedicated to sustainable environmental schemes and various improvement projects each year as part of the Durham in Bloom campaign.
This year is no exception with plans already underway for a raft of further enhancement schemes such as flowerbed planting on Gilesgate roundabout with local schoolchildren.
Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “We have a proud record of horticultural achievement in County Durham and this is underlined by the continuing success of Durham City nationally as well as the impressive efforts of our towns and villages in regional competitions.
“We would urge everyone to get behind our entry and we offer our huge congratulations to the Durham in Bloom group for their nomination in the Champion of Champions event. We wish them all the very best of luck.”
For more information visit www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom and follow Durham in Bloom on Facebook at www.facebook.com/durhambloom