Washington Village has welcomed the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Britain in Bloom judges, as they hope to bring home yet another national honour in the coveted flower and landscaping competition.
The North East village is pitted up against five other displays across the United Kingdom, in the Best Village category of Britain in Bloom - after picking up a prestigious Best Village award and being named Northumbria's champions for their entry last year.
Some 18 volunteers have been working endlessly, alongside Sunderland City Council, local schools and businesses, the Princes Trust and the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to create stunning and colourful flower beds - which they hope have wowed the judging board on their recent visit.
Read more: Life in Washington Village - an historic yet quaint corner of the North East in full bloom
Chair of Washington in Bloom, Joan Atkinson, said: "Our win last year was a tremendous boost for all the Bloom volunteers, but what really matters is the contribution that so many in our local community make, year after year, to keeping Washington village such a truly lovely place to live in or visit."
Volunteers as well as reps from organisations who have helped prepare the North East corner gathered on Friday (August 5) to welcome the judges, eager to show off their hard work and dedication to the cause. The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Alison Smith, said: "It's really exciting that Washington Village is representing our region in such a prestigious national competition.
"The volunteers have put in a tremendous amount of work, not just for the Britain in Bloom awards but keeping the village looking its best all year round. It's fantastic to come along today to see the beautiful display and admire the hard work carried out by all the partners and volunteers. I want to wish them the very best of luck in this competition!"
Councillor Linda Williams, Cabinet Member for Vibrant City at Sunderland City Council, added: "Washington Village its looking absolutely gorgeous this summer and it's all down to the hard work of volunteers and the collaborative effort of council staff, local businesses, the fire service, Princes Trust and Barclays Bank volunteers, local schools and scouts and residents.
"They have done a fantastic job and I hope the judges can see how hard they have worked."
In the Britain in Bloom Village category, Washington face off against five other villages. In 2022's competition, they battle it out with:
- Filby, Norfolk
- Irthington in Bloom, Cumbria
- Amcotts, Lincolnshire
- Elswick in Bloom, Lancashire
- Donaghmore, Ulster
Kay Clark, RHS Community Development Manager, said: “We’re excited that Britain in Bloom UK Finals will return in full force this year, featuring some new competitors, new audiences and underpinned by a new found admiration for all that our public green spaces provide and mean to us.”
Washington Village are also the only North East location who have been chosen as successful finalists in all of the eight categories, with other competitions taking place for coastal areas, large villages, Business Improvement Districts (Town Centres and City Centres), small towns, towns, large towns and small cities.
Washington in Bloom were successful in their 2021 Northumbria in Bloom competition, winning the Best Overall Entry category. Their endeavours were described by the competition as: "A fantastic example of Northumbria in Bloom at its best. The whole village works together seamlessly and has achieved stunning results that are appreciated by all.
"The choice of high impact perennials and shrubs throughout the village presents a long-term low maintenance strategy, and the celebration of historical links shows a real sense of pride of place. Support for biodiversity, composting and recycling is evident throughout the village."
They will hear if they have been successful in their endeavours on October 10, when the Britain in Bloom awards are announced at a special ceremony at the RHS headquarters in London.
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