Help to make our beautiful borough bloom this summer
Our gardening competitions see residents show off their impressive horticultural skills. The annual event helps to show the borough at its best. The deadline to enter is 5pm on Friday, 10 June.
Green-fingered gardeners in Newcastle-under-Lyme are being invited to enter the Council’s annual gardening competitions this summer.
The Council is once again running a range of floral contests to help the borough look its blooming best as part of this year’s Heart of England in Bloom entry which has a “Plant a Bloomin’ Tree” theme.
The categories are allotments, community gardens, community projects (schools), licensed premises/businesses and residential gardens.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday, 10 June and judging takes place towards the end of June and during July. Certificates and donated prizes will be awarded to winners at a ceremony at the New Vic Theatre later in the year.
The competitions are sponsored by local businesses in recognition of the economic benefits that an attractive environment brings.
Cllr. Jill Waring, Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage, said: “Britain in Bloom brings communities together with the common aim of improving the environment – and quality of life – for residents, visitors and businesses.
“Our local competitions play an important part in the borough’s long running and successful campaign and attract a lot of talented gardeners every year. We’re hoping to involve as many people as possible.
“Last year it was all about being safe, with the judges reviewing submitted photographs of entrants’ gorgeous gardens, so it’s fantastic to return to the usual format this time. The experienced judges are really looking forward to being back on the road again.”
Residents can enter the competitions online. Application forms are also available at Castle House in Newcastle, Kidsgrove Town Hall and Garners Garden Centre in Silverdale.
Maureen Wilson and Graham Green, and Donna Thorley, were the respective winners in the hotly-contested residential category in 2021 after equally impressing the judges with their outstanding horticultural work.
Wonderful spaces at every turn created with “real love and thought” – including a “sensational” book display – earned Maureen and Graham high praise from three horticultural experts alongside Donna whose mature garden boasted a range of perennial and annual planting, using a tremendous colour pallet, with “beautifully manicured” borders and lawns.
This year’s competitions are sponsored by Garners Garden Centre and Jacksons Nurseries & Tea Room.