Green-fingered Northumberland folk honoured at Alnwick in Bloom annual awards

Prizes were presented in a ceremony held at The Alnwick Garden.

A special prize was the David Bloom Commemorative Shield presented to Geoff Anderson as winner of best container garden.

David died earlier this year and his family has very kindly donated the shield to Alnwick in Bloom, in his memory, in order to encourage other gardeners.

The sunflower challenge was won by Carly Hope, of Cedar Grove in Alnwick, who grew an 8ft 1.5in monster.

Full results: Sunflower challenge: 1 Carly Hope; 2 Harry and Aidan Fortescue, Newton Barns Farm; 3 Reece Hope, Alnwick; runner-up Haidee Moore, St James Estate, Alnwick.

Shop window competition: 1 Origami Café, Narrowgate; 2 Northumbria Pets, Bondgate Within; 3 Thompson Opticians, Clayport Street; highly commended, Simply Flowers and RSPCA shop, both Bondgate Within.

Best commercial premises: 1 Bev Hope, care manager, Summerhill Care Home, The Dunterns; 2 Martin Russell, The Oaks Hotel; 3 Peter Smith, West Cawledge Park.

Best guest house: 1 George Swordy, Holly Lodge, The Avenue; 2 Jennifer Blair, Rooftops, Blakelaw Road.

Best residential garden: 1 Alan Wall, Springfield Park; 2 Ant Allen, Swansfield Park Road.

Best residential container garden: 1 Geoff Anderson, St James Estate; 2 George Turner, Swansfield Park Road; 3 Iain Hall, Lindisfarne Road; highly commended, Robin Slack, Greensfield Cottages and Vincent Fife, St James Estate.

Best residential retirement complex: 1 Jean Atkinson, Mews Towers, Park View; 2 Chris Gibson & Bob Beattie, St Paul’s Court.

It’s Your Neighbourhood Assessments: Outstanding, Hope House Allotments, Pottergate Adult Learning Centre; Thriving, Column Cottage, Dunterns Allotments, Friends of the Column, Grahams Yard, Green Batt Garden, St George’s Allotments.

Northumbria in Bloom Awards: Gold, Alnwick (Town); Swansfield Park Primary School (Schools); Alnwick Cemetery (Religious Establishments); Willowburn Sports & Leisure Centre (Sports Grounds); Alnwick Garden (Tourist & Visitor Attractions and Country Estates). Silver Gilt , Abbeyfield House (Care/Residential/Convalescent Homes/Hospices & Day Centres); The John Bull (Pubs and Hotels); The Bullfield, Alnwick Community Orchard (Conservation Projects); George Turner, Swansfield Park Road (Private Garden); St Paul’s Court (Residential Communities); St James’ Allotments (Allotments).