We've scooped gold in regional floral competition!

We are proud to announce Darlington has been awarded three golds in the annual Northumbria in Bloom competition; along with best-improved entry overall.

Judges, who visited in May and July, have recognised and rewarded the town and surrounding villages for outstanding floral displays in a number of different categories, including; business, religious, parks, horticulture and small town and small city centre for the council’s hard work effort and collaboration with residents and partners.

Last year we were awarded two golds in the annual Northumbria in Bloom competition; along with best-improved entry overall. This year, with huge support, hard work and effort, Darlington stays on the floral map by bringing home two golds, two silver gilts, two best in categories and the most improved overall entry in the competition!

Here are the results for our entries in the following categories:

The Devonport Middleton St George - hotel and guest house special award – silver
Tapas Bar - public house award – silver gilt
Atisha Buddhist - religious premises award - silver gilt
Hash - Best small commercial premises award –- silver
Firthmoor community centre - It's my Neighbourhood - level 4 thriving
South Park - Parks - gold
Middleton St George - small town award - silver
Cocks Memorial Homes in Middleton St George received gold and was awarded best in class  in the special residential communities category
Darlington town centre - best small city centre - gold

Stephen Harker, leader of the council, said “We are absolutely delighted our town’s and villages floral displays have won these prestigious awards. Year after year, much hard work and effort goes into the planning, designing, planting, and upkeep of our floral displays to ensure we - council staff, volunteers, street champions, Darlington Cares Friends of parks, businesses and residents – present our town’s and villages’ very best floral attributes, to the Northumbria in Bloom judges.”

“I can’t thank, everyone involved enough for all their hard work and dedication to ensure that, once again, our town bloomed beautifully… the medals awarded are in recognition of the fantastic collaborative work and are most well deserved.

“I am so proud to lead a council where the town and surrounding villages continue to bloom with pride and remain a great place to live and to visit!”