Richmond’s Friary Gardens has secured a prestigious gold award in this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom competition.
The town centre gardens were recognised at the annual awards ceremony in Tadcaster on Thursday, September 24, which brought together council parks staff and representatives from community groups from across the region.
Yorkshire in Bloom, the regional body representing the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom campaign, aims to encourage communities to make lasting improvements to their local environment.
Entries are assessed on three main areas – horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.
Friary Gardens was one of two North Yorkshire locations to receive a gold award this year, alongside Ripon Spa Gardens.
A further five council-maintained sites received the competition’s highest platinum accolade: Valley Gardens in Harrogate, Knaresborough Castle, Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough, South Cliff Gardens in Scarborough and Peasholm Park in Scarborough.
North Yorkshire Council works alongside community groups to support entries into the competition as well as submitting its own sites, with judging taking place in July.
Cllr Malcolm Taylor, the council’s executive member for parks and grounds, congratulated both staff and volunteers following the results.
He said: “We would like to congratulate the hard work of our parks team as well as volunteer groups who dedicate their time to keep green spaces tidy.
“The annual awards encourage and develop community spirit and civic pride whilst promoting responsibility for planting, cleanliness and maintenance.
“In turn, this can boost the local economy through increased tourism, encourages voluntary work and cooperation between community groups, and helps to address issues such as sustainability, recycling, minimising waste and energy conservation.”
The Friary Gardens sit close to the centre of Richmond and provide an important green space for residents and visitors to the town.
The Yorkshire in Bloom competition is open to communities of all sizes and is intended to recognise not only horticultural standards but also the contribution made by volunteers and local organisations towards improving their surroundings.
