Newcastle hoping to go one better in Bloom final

Newcastle hoping to go one better in Bloom final

9 August 2017

NEWCASTLE is bidding to be named one of the most attractive towns in Britain.

The resort was last week judged in the Britain in Bloom competition and is hoping to go one better in the Silver Gilt award picked up last year.

The judges were taken on a tour designed to showcase the town’s horticultural achievement, but also to reflect the tremendous community participation and respect for the environment that exists through the work of so many groups in the town.

The judges were welcomed by Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairman, Roisin Mulgrew, who said the council and residents have worked hard to continue to make Newcastle a beautiful place to live, work and visit. 

“We hope the judges will enjoy seeing its natural beauty and be impressed by some of the great work carried out by groups such as Ark Community Gardens, Unit T and Autism Initiatives NI,” she said.

“I hope that when the results are announced at the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Llandudno, North Wales on October 27, Newcastle will be celebrating a Gold award”.

The Britain in Bloom competition is one of Europe’s largest horticultural campaigns and has been running since 1964. More than 1,600 cities, towns, villages and urban communities take part each year and only 80 reach the UK finals.  

The judges are not only looking for horticultural excellence but will also wish to see evidence of environmental responsibility and community participation. Where problem areas exist such as vacant premises, plots or eyesores they will look to see what plans are in place to address these.