Gardening competition raises the stakes

For the first time Morecambe Town Council took over the annual Morecambe in Bloom Awards, setting aside £1000 from its budget to fund a new category within its competition.

Mayor of Lancaster Jon Barry who attended the event said: “In the mid-1990s I helped to organise a backyard of the year competition for the whole district and I have to say that the best backyards were in Morecambe.

“One thing I have noticed is that I thought this was going to be a very kind of genteel ceremony but right from the start when the gold awards were announced I heard quite a few ‘yes’ and fist pumping, so hoping that this spirit of competition continues and grows but what I would hope is that its a friendly spirit of competition.

“I’ve seen some of the pictures of what you’ve produced this year and I feel a bit ashamed because my allotment hasn’t been quite as good as it usually is, I put it down to the weather, pressure of being mayor, but I will be asking for any tips, particularly on peas and pumpkins, because clearly you lot know how to grow things.

“Congratulations to everyone for what you have done and congratulations to everyone for coming tonight and making this a really special event.”

John Bates, Carol Edmunds and Beryl Spelling have retired from running the annual event, which encourages people to plant flowers, shrubs and trees to improve the local environment.

Coun John Bates said: “Although the word ‘retirement’ appears it’s a very enjoyable thing to do and I still want to be involved.”

The event was held for the first time at the Lothersdale Hotel in Morecambe.

Results:

Awards

Joan Adams Trophy for Best Hanging Basket – presented by sponsors Mr and Mrs Whalley

Bronze:

Mrs A C Shaw

Silver

The Royal Hotel

Terrance Wood

Patricia Browning

Silver Gilt

Tracey Deakin

Mavis Pilling

Michael Moorhouse

Shipping Lanes Hotel

Dog and Partridge

Gold

Kingsway Court Residents

2nd Runner Up: - Betty Atack

Runner Up - June Lund

Overall Winner - The Berkeley Guest House

The Vera Bailey Trophy for Best Terraced Frontage – presented by Carol Edmunds

Bronze:

Shipping Lanes Hotel

Margaret Bould

Silver:

Joan Whitcomb

Silver Gilt:

Patricia Browning

Gold:

Debs Stuchbury

Runner Up - The Berkeley Guesthouse

Overall Winner - Betty Atack

Under 14’s (Tub, Hanging Basket or Garden Patch) – presented by Beryl Spelling (Judge)

Silver:

Oliver Deakin

Gold

Overall Winner - Abigail Mortimer

Morecambe & District Chamber of Trade Business Trophy – presented by John Bates

Silver Gilt:

The Shipping Lanes Hotel

Dog and Partridge

Gold:

The Royal Hotel

Runner Up - Little Shop of Hobbies

Overall Winner - The Berkeley Guest House

The David Jordan Trophy for Best Back Yard –– presented by Kevin Kilifin (one of the judges)

Silver:

Susan Golby

Malcolm Dilley

Steve Bankmoore

Silver Gilt:

Louise and Michael Lambert

Mrs A. C. Shaw

Trevor Vout

Patricia Browning

Gold:

June Lund

Runner Up - Tracy Deakin

Overall Winner - Julie Al – Ali

Lancaster City Council Tourism Award for Best Hotel, Public House or Bed & Breakfast – presented by The Mayor of Lancaster

Bronze:

The Shipping Lanes Hotel

The Lothersdale Hotel

Silver:

The Royal Hotel

Gold:

Dog and Partridge

Overall Winner: The Berkeley Guest House

The Lesley Jordan Trophy for the Best Street or Terrace – presented by The Mayor

Silver:

Marine Road East residents (John Oates)

Gold:

North Street residents (David Rush)

Overall Winner: Lord Street (Betty Atack)

The JWK Community Challenge Trophy – presented by Bill Blackledge (Chair of North West in Bloom)

Silver:

Friends of Morecambe War Memorial Hall Gardens

Silver Gilt:

Friends of Regent Park

Queen Elizabeth Court

West End and Heysham Allotment Association

Friends of Torrisholme Cemetery

Gold:

2nd Runner UP - Kingsway Court Residents

Runner UP - Happy Mount Park Volunteers

Overall Winner - Tarnbrook Court Residents

Morecambe in Bloom Amateur Garden Challenge Cup – presented by The Mayor

Bronze:

John Oates

Malcolm Dilley

Jeanne White

Howard Rogerson

Silver:

Louise and Michael Lambert

Mrs A. C. Shaw

Robert and Margaret Mellin

Alan and Irene Lewarne

Silver Gilt:

Tracy Deakin

Mavis Pilling

Pamela Hargreaves

Terance Wood

Patricia Browning

Steve Bankmoore

Gold:

Michael Moorhouse

Margaret Cope

Runner Up - June Lund

Overall Winner - Terry O’Neill

Best Aggregate Score – presented by The Mayor of Lancaster

Winner – The Berkeley Guest house

Morecambe in Bloom Chairman’s Shield – presented by Councillor Darren Clifford (Chair of Morecambe Town Council)

Winner – Beryl Spelling