Durham City was decked out in its floral best as it welcomed judges from the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) In Bloom competition.

 Officials from the annual Northumbria In Bloom award panel visited the city to check out its green spaces and flower displays.

Each year, Durham takes part in Northumbria in Bloom, as part of the wider Royal Horticultural Society’s Durham In Bloom competition, with entries led by Durham County Council’s Civic Pride and Clean and Green teams, and the Durham in Bloom partnership group.

The Botanic Gardens and St Cuthbert’s Hospice were among the many attractions and organisations hoping to impress judges Val Giles and Sophie Simpson.

Durham City’s retailers joined in the fun, with judges also viewing winning displays from the Durham In Bloom ‘Best Dressed’ Competition. Businesses across the city spruced up their window displays with a floral theme, with the council’s Civic Pride Team awarding accolades in five categories:

  • Blooming good use of own merchandise (shop window) – won by Circle Vintage, Saddler Street
  • Blooming good fun award (shop window) – won by Woven, Elvet Bridge
  • Blooming fabulous frontage (best retail business) – won by Elvet & Bailey, Prince Bishop Shopping Centre
  • Blooming best dressed market stall – won by Bear Bottoms, Victorian Indoor Market
  • People’s choice award, voted for by the public – won by Turkish Kitchen Meze & Grill, Saddler Street

The results of the wider In Bloom competition, which recognises community organisations and groups which work together to transform spaces through gardening and environmental support, will be announced on Wednesday 29 September.

Cllr Mark Wilkes, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: “It is wonderful to see the return of the Best Dressed Window competition as part of our In Bloom campaign.

“As always, it is great to work with such a wide range of businesses and organisations within the city. It is brilliant to see the hard work and dedication that has gone into the competition entries. The displays have added to the vibrancy of the city and complement our lovely floral displays, which we hope have impressed the RHS judges. We encourage people to come into Durham, to enjoy the displays and our wonderful city.

“A huge well done to all of the entrants and winners – this year’s windows were blooming fantastic.”

For more information about Durham in Bloom, visit www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom or follow the city’s campaign at www.facebook.com/durhambloom.