Harrogate Borough Council

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Knaresborough won the best summer floral display and Knaresborough Castle and Knaresborough House both received gold in the visitor attraction category this year but were pipped to the winning title by Yorkshire Lavender. 

 

Councillor Pat Jones, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, will be celebrating with the winning teams both from the council and Harrogate in Bloom.  She said:  "It doesn't matter how many times you win something in this competition, it still gives you a big buzz.  Over 100 communities, cities, towns and villages, participated in the 2007 Yorkshire in Bloom campaign, an increase of about 13 per cent over last year and the highest number for a decade.  And more than 200 other groups have taken part in other special categories. 

 

"So we know we beat off some stiff competition but it is a special credit to our teams when you hear the judging panel say that Harrogate not only 'takes the top Award  but was the clear winner'.  The judges recognised the enthusiasm of the Harrogate in Bloom team, the involvement of the Hornbeam Industrial Park and the good quality of private gardens.  I would like to congratulate everyone who has helped us to this title.  But this isn't just about gardens, it is about our whole approach to our environment, including the community involvement as well as how clean our streets are kept.  And of course there are the staff in the office who plan the flowerbeds, the nursery staff who grow over 500,000 plants annually and even the finance and admin teams who make it all possible."

 

Pam Grant, President of Harrogate in Bloom added:  "I wanted to also add my thanks to everyone but in particular to our young people in local schools and brownie groups who played a major part in this year's campaign.  The win is wonderful news and Harrogate is on its way back to the top.  We are disappointed that although we won the category it was with a silver gilt not gold and that means we won't be going through to the Britain in Bloom finals so we will have to work even harder next year."  Pat Jones and Pam Grant will also be offering their congratulations to Knaresborough Starbeck in Bloom who have taken the Urban Community Category with a gold medal and will now go through to the Britain in Bloom finals later this year and to Springwater School who received a gold medal.  ENDS