Hexham wins Gold Town Award at Northumbria in Bloom Awards

Gardening group Hexham in Bloom liaise with competition entries year round. 

Hexham won an overall Gold Award, covering all gardens, parks and general appearance.

Julia Miller, Hexham in Bloom Chair, said Northumberland County Council (NCC) maintain Sele Park, the Bowling Green and St Mary's bed. Hexham Town Council maintain black planters and flowerbeds throughout town.

(L-R) Julia Miller Chair of Hexham in Bloom, David Thompson Hexham Golf Club Head Green Keeper, Jane Hope Secretary of Hexham in Bloom, Peter Smith Hexham Golf Club Manager (Image: Newsquest)

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Hexham Cemetery won Gold and Best in Class.

Managed by Stephen English and team, it's more than 100-years-old.

Julia said: "The entrance is spectacular with eight 150-year-old Giant Redwood trees. Bat and bird boxes are well used and other wildlife frequents the cemetery."

Hexham Golf Club won Gold and Best in Class, managed by Peter Smith and Head Green Keeper, David Thompson.

The golf club has 68 tree species, one being 400-years-old.

"Trees are labelled for easy identification and great care is taken to keep them in tip-top condition. Bird and bat boxes are placed around the grounds and deer can been seen feeding among the trees," Julia said.

Wydon Water won Gold and Best in Class for the Conservation Category.

Part of Hexham's flood defence system, there are pollinator and wildlife-friendly trees and flowers, along with coarse fishing and walking trail.

Hexham Parks, County Hotel and Hexham Hospital won Silver Gilt. Rob Thirtle is the hospital's Head Gardener.

Being the only gardener, Rob has a 'mammoth task on his hands'.

"Planters outside the hospital always look lovely and plaques on the planters are of bugs and beetle paintings, the result of a children's art competition run by Hexham in Bloom and the hospital."

The It's your Neighbourhood Awards represent a separate category.

Hexham Spaces for Nature had two Outstanding entries - the Borderers near the Bowling Green, where they replanted perennials, and the Woodland Walk.

"As it's a dark border, it's not easy to get them to flourish but they succeeded. The group made bug houses and composting boxes, and work with schools to encourage children."

Native flowers were planted at the Woodland Walk, a long border alongside the Sele's top path.

Hexham Spaces for Nature agreed with NCC to allow part of the grass to grow longer for insects to benefit.

Hexham Abbey Gardeners won Outstanding.

"This is the first submission for these three entries - to come away with Outstanding is remarkable," Julia said.