Winners Revealed At Harrogate In Bloom 2024 Awards Ceremony
The winners of this year’s prestigious Harrogate in Bloom awards were revealed at a special ceremony last night.
Harrogate in Bloom Awards Evening 2024
The awards recognise the various floral contributions across the North Yorkshire town and highlight horticultural achievements of local individuals, groups and businesses.
The awards evening, held at The West Park Hotel on Thursday (September 19th), saw the winners presented with their prizes following the judging over the summer.
The school’s prize, known as the Hammond Mann Trophy, was claimed by Oatlands Junior School. This award highlights gardens created by pupils and teachers at various schools across the region. The judges look for gardens creating not only a good first impression, but an area that makes a difference to the local environment. Oatlands also claimed the Harrogate in Bloom President’s Award on the night.
This year’s children’s competition encouraged youngsters to design a flowerbed with a ‘Peace’ theme. The judges said they saw many beautiful designs, but Tabitha Dalglish, of St Peter’s CofE Primary School, took home the trophy for her lovely design featuring tulips, snow drops and daisies.
The Floral Shop Window Competition, organised by Harrogate BID in partnership with Harrogate in Bloom, was claimed by the Piglet in Bed store in James Street. The prize, known as the McCrindle Trophy, was picked up by a member of staff during the awards.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID Manager, said: “We had so many excellent entries for this year’s Floral Shop Window Competition, adding to our town’s already historic floral heritage.
“As the BID, we’re always keen to promote our town as the fantastic floral destination it’s known as, so to get businesses involved through competitions such as this is key for us.
Harrogate in Bloom shop window competition winners, Piglet in Bed with Phil Airey from Horticap.
“The displays help to make our town a blaze of colour during the summer months – and even help to drive footfall and spend into Harrogate’ businesses.
“I’d like to thank all businesses and groups for taking part and congratulate all of those who claimed prizes during this year’s Harrogate in Bloom awards. I’m looking forward to seeing more dazzling displays in 2025!”
The Crowther Trophy, awarded to the hotel or guesthouse with the best-judged floral display, was handed to The Yorkshire Hotel. Meanwhile, the Harrogate in Bloom Shield, created for for the best communal grounds, was claimed by the Low Harrogate Crown Green Bowling Club.
A number of different pubs and restaurants battled it out for the Parks Department Rose Shield over the summer, with The Fat Badger taking home the top prize for its new garden display installed earlier this year.
The Betty’s Teapot, awarded to the best residential community, was claimed by Swan Court, while the Pine Street Allotments won the Edgar Scholey Shield. Peter Walker, who owns a plot on the Pine Street site, was announced as the winner of the Harrogate Borough Council Trophy.
Finally, the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce Trophy, a discretionary award from Harrogate in Bloom, was handed to the Rossett Nature Reserve featuring not only decorative flowery displays, but also a range of wildlife – from amphibians to different bird species.
