The celebrations may have just started – but it’s also decision time for the big winners at Yorkshire in Bloom.
Garforth in Bloom and Barwick in Bloom have both been invited to take part in Britain in Bloom 2013 after their strong showing in this year’s county competition.
Garforth won the town category at Yorkshire in Bloom while Barwick struck gold in the large village section.
Now, though, they have got to decide whether to accept the offer of the crack at Britain in Bloom glory.
Susan Ashworth, secretary of Garforth in Bloom, said: “Taking part in Britain in Bloom is a massive commitment.
“If we were going to go forward, then we would have to be sure we could do the town justice.”
Barwick in Bloom secretary Geoff Yapp, meanwhile, said its decision on whether to bid for national glory would be taken in “the next couple of weeks”.
Praise for Garforth and Barwick’s achievement has been led by Coun Mark Dobson, Leeds City Council’s executive member for the environment.
The council provides technical help and advice to more than 50 ‘In Bloom’ groups across Leeds.
Coun Dobson said: “Should Garforth and Barwick choose to accept their nomination to compete in Britain in Bloom, we know they will do the city proud and we will be supporting them all the way.”
Other notable Yorkshire in Bloom winners included Calverley in Bloom, which took a gold award in the competition’s urban community category.
Group chairman, Hon Alderman Frank Robinson, a former Lord Mayor of Leeds, said: “We’re delighted. We have been going for about 11 or 12 years and these days we have a really good nucleus of 20 or so people.
“This is a just reward for all their efforts.”
Oulton’s Three Horseshoes took a gold award and was named category winner in the public houses and restaurants section of the contest for the fifth year in a row.
Landlord Geoff Wilkinson said a red, white and blue theme had been chosen for this year’s displays to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.
He added: “The competition is always a real talking point – we get people coming in saying they’ve been wondering what we’re going to do for it this time!”
Birstall’s Oakwell Hall Country Park won a gold award in the competition’s section for country houses, estates, parks and gardens.
Yorkshire in Bloom’s 2012 winners were revealed on Tuesday.
* Local representatives in this year’s Britain in Bloom contest include Kippax (urban community) and Leeds (large city).
The competition’s winners will be announced on October 6.
* Scholes in Bloom will hold a coffee morning at Scholes Village Hall from 10am to midday on Saturday, October 13.
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