Everyone who contributed to Berwick winning the best town centre retail area category in this year’s Northumbria in Bloom Awards has been praised by the town’s Mayor.

Also at the awards, Ord House Lounge Bar & Grill at East Ord won the best pub accolade.

Throughout the year, Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council’s wardens have worked hard to maintain and improve Berwick’s floral displays and public spaces – including seasonal planting, on-going maintenance and ensuring the town centre is presented at its best.

This has been supported by the efforts of partners, businesses, volunteers and others across the town. The award recognises that collective effort and the pride taken in making Berwick an attractive and welcoming place for residents and visitors.

Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council warden Kay Shutt pictured during the summer by Tim Barnsley.

placeholder image — Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council warden Kay Shutt pictured during the summer by Tim Barnsley.

Cllr Jane Turton, Mayor of Berwick, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Berwick has been recognised as

“It is a wonderful acknowledgement of the hard work of our wardens and everyone who contributes to making the town look its best. To also achieve gold for the railway station makes the result even more special and everyone involved should be extremely proud.”

Judges said: “The floral displays in Berwick, in a large variety of containers, are very high impact, bright, colourful, densely planted, innovative and well maintained. Many of these displays contain edibles and the use of trees in the larger planters gives height and scale.

“The street scene is clean and tidy.”

The Ord House Lounge Bar & Grill exterior.

In relation to Ord House Lounge Bar & Grill, the judges said: “The Bar & Grill is a beautiful old building which benefits from the addition of numerous window boxes, baskets and pots which have been very well coordinated and add welcome colour.

“There are well established climbing roses on the facade and further borders of annuals surrounding the well maintained lawns.

“There is a further planting of shrubs and perennials, in front of the more modern extension to the building, which is also well designed and thoughtfully planted.”

Gilbert Maguire, Maguires Country Parks director, said: “We are absolutely delighted. This award means a great deal to the whole team and is a wonderful recognition of the hard work, care and enthusiasm they bring every day.

“We would also like to thank all our guests and the local community for their continued support – we couldn’t have achieved this without them.”