Bloomin' fantastic show where colour is key

From alleyways to illuminated gardens, conservation areas to community meeting places - Blackpool's green-fingered residents have been busy planting and cultivating to brighten up the town.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jul 2016, 20:00 GMT
Albany Hotel  Winner of Hotel with More than 10 bedrooms.Albany Hotel  Winner of Hotel with More than 10 bedrooms.
Albany Hotel  Winner of Hotel with More than 10 bedrooms.

And this week the best growers were rewarded for their hard work as the annual Blackpool in Bloom prizes were handed out.

Entries have doubled in the last seven years of the popular competition.

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New categories this year included the Alleway Award which went to Claremont Ten Streets Project which has transformed a back alley from a scruffy eyesore into a relaxing shared space for local folk.

Winner of the Floral Yard  Gary Tunnicliffe of Seafield Road  Runner up in Floral YardsWinner of the Floral Yard  Gary Tunnicliffe of Seafield Road  Runner up in Floral Yards
Winner of the Floral Yard  Gary Tunnicliffe of Seafield Road  Runner up in Floral Yards

Schools, pubs, hotels, businesses and private residences were among the venues which caught the eye of the judges.

Awards were presented to winners, runners up and those highly commended at a ceremony held at the Spanish Hall in the Winter Gardens by Blackpool Mayor Coun Kath Rowson, in association with Blackpool Environmental Action Team.

Chairman of Blackpool in Bloom Elaine Smith, told the audience that many categories had been closely contested this year.

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She also thanked fundraisers for ensuring the competition could go ahead, after the council had been forced to cut its financial support.

Special Award to Sacred Heart Church for attempting to brighten up the town!Special Award to Sacred Heart Church for attempting to brighten up the town!
Special Award to Sacred Heart Church for attempting to brighten up the town!

Mrs Smith said: “This competition is now known as Blackpool in Bloom although for a great many years it was Gorgeous Gardens and Hotel in Bloom.

“Many years ago it was started by Keep Blackpool Tidy but is now under the umbrella of BEAT Ltd (Blackpool Environmental Action Team).

“Blackpool in Bloom is a Blackpool Council initiative but due to all the cuts we have had to rely very much on raising the funding ourselves this year.

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“Much of it was generously given last year by the no longer existent area forums, and by Sage’s Hardware. My gang, the Friends of Stanley Park and the Salisbury Woodland have supported it too. At this moment we are not sure what will happen next year. This, of course, is why we are having a raffle today and will do so at every occasion possible.”

The Blackpool in Bloom awards were presented in a ceremony held at the Winter Gardens' Spanish Hall. A packed hall. PIC BY ROB LOCK 27-7-2016The Blackpool in Bloom awards were presented in a ceremony held at the Winter Gardens' Spanish Hall. A packed hall. PIC BY ROB LOCK 27-7-2016
The Blackpool in Bloom awards were presented in a ceremony held at the Winter Gardens' Spanish Hall. A packed hall. PIC BY ROB LOCK 27-7-2016

Mrs Smith emphasised how the work to create gardens was vital to many people in the town.She added: “To all of you here this afternoon I must say that the fact that you are here makes you a real winner.

“If you are getting a certificate of any kind it means that you have done wonderful work with your gardens and hanging baskets.”

Related topics:BlackpoolHotel