We've scooped gold in regional floral competition!

We are proud announce Darlington has been awarded two golds in the annual Northumbria in Bloom (NIB) competition; along with best improved entry overall.

Judges visited in May and July have recognised and rewarded us for our parks, horticulture and town centre teams hard work effort and collaboration with residents and partners.

Last year we were awarded a Silver Gilt medal in the ‘best small city’ category. This year, with huge support, hard work and effort, Darlington stays on the floral map by bringing home two golds, two silver gilts, two best in categories and the most improved overall entry in the competition!

Here are the results for our entries in the following categories:

Best bar - Tapas Bar - Silver Gilt

Best Religious establishment - Atisha Buddist Camp - Silver Gilt

It's my Neighbourhood - Firthmoor - level 3 Advancing and category winners!

Best park - South Park - Gold

Best city centre - Darlington - Gold and category winners!

Most improved entry overall - Darlington

Jonathan Dulston, leader of the council, said “We are absolutely delighted to receive these prestigious awards for our glorious town. Much planning, designing, planting, pricking out, weeding, and watering has gone on throughout the spring and summer months to ensure we presented, Darlington and its floral attributes, to the Northumbria in Bloom judges as best we could.”

“I can’t thank, every-one involved enough for all their effort and sheer hard work – our staff, Friends of South Park, Street Champions, Darlington Carers volunteers, residents, and businesses - to name but a few - who have worked tirelessly to ensure our town bloomed beautifully… the medals awarded are in recognition of the fantastic collaborative work and most well deserved for our town – a town blooming with pride as well as a great place to live and to visit!”

James Buxton the Tapas bar general manager, said “I am delighted we were chosen to enter the ‘best public house’ category in this prestigious annual competition, we love tending to our blooms to delight our customers and it’s great our floral efforts have been awarded a Silver Gilt medal – we really are proud as punch!”