Fylde scores hat-trick of bloom golden delight

Britain In Bloom judges Geraldine King and Andrew Jackson in Freckleton to judge it for national best small town awards, with Sue Lee, chairman and Christine Graham, secretary

Lytham missed out on a second UK Champion of Champions prize after its success at the first attempt in 2013, but took gold as the coastal resort up to 12,000 population representative in the Champion of Champions category.

Meanwhile, Freckleton took gold and was category winner in the Britain In Bloom’s small town section and Elswick won gold and was join category winner in the village section.

There was also delight for Lytham’s Park View 4U, a vital destination on the judges’ tour of the town, which took the discretionary Britain in Bloom Public Park Award.

Britain In Bloom Champion of Champions judges Sue Wood and David Jamieson at Park View 4U in Lytham this summer, with Susan Evans, David Kerr and Julie Norman of Lytham In Bloom

The prizes were handed out by the Royal Horticultural Society last night at a ceremony hosted by TV gardening expert Chris Beardshaw.

Lytham, as the North West representative, was one of only six areas from across the UK chosen to compete in the coveted Champion of Champions category of the awards.

While it lost out on the ultimate prize to Ahoghill in Northern Ireland, its gold is the highest medal available, and Lytham In Bloom officials feel it confirms the town’s position as arguably the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful small coastal town in Britain.

Lytham In Bloom treasurer David Kerr said: “Lytham in Bloom is honoured and privileged to have been invited to enter the RHS’s prestigious Champion of Champions competition for the second time.

“The publicity surrounding the announcement of our participation in the competition has excited and stimulated the residents and business community of Lytham and the level of involvement and participation in the competition has been, even for Lytham, unparalleled.

“Thanks to the RHS for ensuring that Lytham remains one of the cleanest, greenest and nicest places to live in the UK.”

Roger Burnett, chairman of the UK judging panel, said: “This has been a truly outstanding year for Britain in Bloom with local communities devoting tremendous amounts of time and effort into greening grey areas and sharing the many health and social benefits of horticulture.

“The finalists’ desire and determination to make their environment as green and pleasant as possible was truly humbling.”

Lytham, Freckleton and Elswick were joined by a variety of other Fylde locations, including St Annes, Wrea Green, Kirkham and Ansdell, in taking part in their respective categories in the North West Bloom awards and the results of that competition are due to be announced on October 28.