Harrogate in Bloom

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Harrogate in Bloom is judged in the C4a Small City Category. The judges said:
"We would like to thank everybody involved in the judging day for their warm welcome and efforts in making sure the visit ran smoothly. The range and variety of organisations involved with Harrogate in Bloom is extensive and includes charities, nature reserves allotment groups, schools, friends’ groups and local authority sites.

The horticultural standards in all of these locations were outstanding and it was a pleasure to meet the people and communities who clearly take great pride in looking after Harrogate's green spaces. The judges note that the common strength running through all of the locations visited is the dedication of the people involved with them. From organising working parties and community engagement to fundraising and social events there was a really strong sense of community pride at every site.

It was clear that the accolades that Harrogate have been awarded in the past have been well earned over a number of years and are truly deserved, showing that “the power of flower” reigns supreme in Harrogate."

Other results from the across the Harrogate district:
C2 – Urban Community Category: Starbeck in Bloom – GOLD Award and Category Winner

C3c – Large Town Category: Knaresborough in Bloom – SILVER GILT

C4c BID / Town or City Centre Category: Harrogate BID - GOLD Award and Category Winner
Ripon in Bloom – SILVER GILT Award

B1 Small Businesses: The Bay Horse Inn, Goldsborough – GOLD and Joint Category Winner

B2 - Medium Business Category: Goldsborough Hall – GOLD Award and Category winner

B3 - Large Businesses Category: Rudding Park Hotel - GOLD Award and Category winner
Nidd Hall Hotel - GOLD Award

B4 - Tourist Attractions Category: Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park – GOLD Award

C6 - Parks, Gardens & Cemeteries Category: The Valley Gardens Harrogate – PLATINUM Award
Knaresborough Castle – PLATINUM Award
Spa Gardens Ripon – GOLD Award
Conyngham Hall – SILVER GILT Award

C10 – Charitable Establishments: Horticap – GOLD Award
Ripon Walled Garden – SILVER GILT

C7 RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards: Ripon Workhouse Museum – Level 5 - OUTSTANDING
Stonefall & Panhandle Parks – Level 5 OUTSTANDING
Starbeck Library Gardens – Level 4 THRIVING
Starbeck Greenway Community Project – Level 1 ESTABLISHING

Full results and reports on each entry can be found on the Yorkshire in Bloom website: www.yorkshireinbloom.co.uk
Well done to everyone who entered Yorkshire in Bloom 2024.

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Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID Manager, said “We hope as many businesses as possible will take part to create fantastic displays to ensure Harrogate is a blaze of colour to welcome visitors and residents into the centre.”
There will be three categories to enter in this year’s competition – Hotels and Guest Houses, Pubs, Restaurants and Cafes and Shops – and a prize will be presented to the winner of each group during an awards ceremony in September.
Judges will award points on key aspects including first impressions and ‘wow factor’, planting, size and style of containers, maintenance of paving, paths and signage, condition of the plants and noticeable environmentally friendly features.
To enter this year’s Floral Shop Window Competition, please email the Harrogate BID team on info@harrogatebid.co.uk
Entries to be submitted by Friday 15th June and judging, by members of Harrogate in Bloom, will take place in the week commencing Monday 15th July.

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Our first competition of the year is the Children’s Art Competition. This year children between the ages of seven and eleven years are challenged to design a flower bed on the theme of “Peace”, which will be planted in 2025, on the circular bed near the main entrance of the Valley Gardens.

Pubs & restaurants, Hotels & Guest Houses, Residential communities and Communal Grounds can all start to plan their entries for the Harrogate in Bloom Awards. The judges will be looking for beautiful, clean, well-planted and well-maintained areas

We all know that gardening engages all sorts of senses and helps children develop many different skills, so for the second year, all schools are invited to enter the School Garden Competition to find the best school garden in Harrogate.

Judging will take place in the summer and the results will be announced at the “Harrogate in Bloom” Awards evening on 19th September at The West Park Hotel.