Floral displays go for gold

Businesses and community and residents groups are celebrating after Darlington was announced as a  gold winner at the 2024 Northumbria in Bloom awards.

Northumbria in Bloom has been running for the past 60 years with the aim  to ‘recognise, encourage and reward community groups who work together to transform their village, town or city through gardening, environmental awareness and community support.’

Judges visited in April and July and had tours of the town centre, surrounding villages and local parks and met with our hardworking horticulture team, dedicated volunteers and community groups.
 

Darlington has been recognised in the following categories:

City centre: Darlington – Gold

Park: South Park – Gold

Residential communities award: Paul Adams at Quaker Lane – Gold

Religious establishment: Atisha Buddhist Centre – Silver Gilt

Pubs: Tapas Bar – Silver Gilt

It’s Your Neighbourhood: Firthmoor Community Centre – Thriving

Small town: Middleton St George – Silver

Best entry in Spring: Darlington
 

Stephen Harker, leader of the council, said “We are thrilled, that once again Darlington has won in these highly prestigious awards.

“Each year, much hard work and effort goes into the planning, designing, planting, and upkeep of our floral displays to ensure we - council staff, volunteers, street champions, Darlington Cares, Friends of parks, businesses and residents – present our town’s and villages’ very best floral attributes, to the Northumbria in Bloom judges.

“We already know Darlington is a beautiful place to live and visit, but the Northumbria in Bloom awards put our town on a national stage, encouraging tourists and day trippers to come see for themselves.

“I cannot thank everyone involved enough for their time, hard work and dedication to making Darlington bloom so brightly.”