Horticultural honours prove region finds it easy being green

The impressive yellow-themed floral displays and decorated bikes which greeted cyclists as they entered Knaresborough scooped the Yorkshire in Bloom award for tourism.

Trevor Hoyle, spokesman for Yorkshire in Bloom, said: “The Bloom group work tirelessly with other organisations to present Knaresborough in the best possible light to the visitor and would be worthy recipients of this award.

“The floral bedding and gardens are first-class.”

Residents had double cause for celebration when it was crowned joint-winner of the memorial category, sharing the honour with the village of Grenoside, north of Sheffield, when results were revealed this week.

The University of Bradford, community volunteers from York Gate Gardens and Pannett Park in Whitby feature on this year’s winners’ roll call.

Sheffield’s Paul Martin, Sheila Greenwood of Todmorden and Vicky and Douglas Robertshaw from Halifax were crowned community champions. Mr Martin has been part of the highly-respected gardening team at Sthe city’s Botanical Gardens for several years, but also finds time to tend the grounds at St John’s Church in Deepcar in his spare time.

The floral displays and green spaces which form part of Barnsley centre’s multi-million refurbishment also came in for praise.

A discretionary award for permanent landscaping was presented to Barnsley Council for the Pals Centenary Square at the annual ceremony. Judges were particularly impressed with the work which has been carried out on the town centre’s war memorial.

Culture spokesman Coun Roy Miller said: “As we continue through this period of economic hardship for both Barnsley residents and the council itself, the fact that officers and community groups are still working hard to make Barnsley beautiful makes these awards even more worthwhile. It makes me proud to live and work in Barnsley.”