The Blackpool In Bloom 2024 results are in, and this years competition was a resounding success!
The Blackpool in Bloom competition, hosted by Enveco NW, has once again proven a resounding success. This year’s event saw a remarkable increase in applications, with a particular surge in the Community Garden category.
Since 2001 Elaine Smith MBE ran the competition after competing for many years, in 2010, Elaine was joined by Betty Bradford and her late husband Danny. Since they took over, we have seen the development of the award ceremony, the formation of friendships, and the addition of new categories to encourage more individuals and businesses to participate – 2023 saw the competition being handed over to Enveco NW.
The expert judging panel; Betty Bradford, Terry Mason, Tim Reilly, Allan Wignall, and Judi Brown, took the task of meticulously scoring these beautiful open spaces over three days braving both rain and shine to ensure a thorough and impartial evaluation. The results were exceptionally close, a testament to the high quality of entries.
The passion and dedication of Blackpool’s community shone through in the stunning floral displays and exceptionally well-maintained gardens. The judges were impressed by the level of creativity and environmental consciousness shown.
THE RESULTS
SMALL GARDENS
- Outstanding Effort – Graeme Hinde and Paul Scandrett
- Highly Commended – Howard G Crump
- Runner Up – Catherine Maxwell
- Winner – Christopher Bodman
MEDIUM GARDENS
- Outstanding Effort- Jill Darroch and Mikey Emsley
- Highly Commended – Anne Walker
- Runner Up – Valerie Winter
- Winner – Ian Brown
LARGE GARDENS
- Highly Commended – Jeanette Grierson
- Runner Up – Karen Shaw
- Winner – Brian Gore
COMMUNITY GARDENS
- Outstanding Effort – Forget-Me-Not Dementia Café, Cherry Tree Gardens, Abbeyfield Harrowside House, Highfield Park, Thursfield Avenue, Bostonway Community Gardens, Regent Court Flats, Claremont Community Centre, Holy Family Church of Links Road, Abbeyfield Norbreck House, Anchorsholme Park, East Pines Park, Blackpool Carers Centre, Stanley Park Rose Garden, Newcastle Avenue, Blackpool Centre For Independent Living and The Layton Methodist Forward Project
- Highly Commended – Layton Community Centre, Watson Road Secret Park, and the Belle Vue Strawberry Gardens Community Group
- Runner Up – Stanley Park Memorial Gardens
- Winner – Beattock Place
HANGING BASKETS
- Outstanding Effort – James Grisedale, Cherry Tree Gardens and Ian Brown
- Highly Commended – Anne Walker and Karen Shaw
- Runner Up – Robert Robson
- Winner – Arthur Parry
HOTELS AND HOLIDAY FLATS
- Outstanding Effort – Danny and William Gee from The Selenite Guest House
- Highly Commended – Carl Norman from King George Avenue
- Runner-up – Wayne and Peter Edwards from the Lawrence House Hotel
- Winner – Carole Cregan from the Clifton House Hotel
PUBS, RESTAURANTS, AND LICENCED PREMISES
- Winner – Chris Bracegirdle, of the Boars Head
CONSERVATIVE GARDENS
- Winner – Ellen Chambers
JUDGES SPECIAL AWARDS
- Vivian Wallace-Dand
- Fylde Memorial Arboretum and Community Woodlands
- Cherry Tree Gardens/St Georges School Conservation/Educational Gardens
To view all the beautiful open spaces, please click this link.
The Blackpool In Bloom 2024 Ceremony – A Floral Celebration
The award ceremony was held in the exquisite surroundings of the Winter Gardens’ modern Conference Centre and welcomed over 150 guests, including The Worshipful Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Peter Hunter, and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Lynn Williams MBE – along with John Blackledge, Director of Community and Environmental Services Blackpool Council, Members of the Enveco Board, Invited Councillors, John Hawkin, Managing Director, and Jez Evans, Operations Director, Craig Burns Street Scene Manager and supervisors from Enveco also all attended the event and spoke with many competition entrants.
This prestigious event celebrated the hard work, dedication, and community spirit that has made the Blackpool in Bloom competition a true success story. Supported by Blackpool Council and the Winter Gardens the event was a huge triumph.
Enveco’s Managing Director, John Hawkin said:
“Blackpool in Bloom is a wonderful initiative that invites individuals, groups, and businesses to showcase their creative gardening activities and enhance the town’s high-quality green areas and street scene appearance”.
Councillor Jane Hugo, cabinet member for climate change and responsibility for parks and green open spaces said:
“It is really heart-warming to see so many local people taking pride in their gardens and communities. Gardening can be a labour of love, it’s no mean feat. All the hard work and effort can clearly be seen and the rewards are fabulous. Congratulations to everyone who took part, thank you to all involved in organising the awards, and special congratulations to the award winners and runners-up”.
Don’t miss your chance to get involved next year! Start planning your garden or community project now, let’s make Blackpool the most beautiful town in the region. Email your interest to marketing@enveconw.co.uk and nearer the time you will be sent an application form.