Despite a very wet start to the year, 2024 has been a successful year for Retford in Bloom, with many new front garden entries, alongside the usual high achievers and the popular ‘Waterside Gardens’ category, which was introduced three years ago.
Although many shop fronts were unable to provide their usual magnificent floral displays, a number of pubs, despite financial challenges, managed to create welcoming and colourful arrangements.
It is essential to continue supporting local businesses – shopping, eating, and drinking locally – if we want our town centre to thrive.
Schools and pre-school centres received their potato-growing kits, and many produced excellent crops, earning certificates, books, and garden centre tokens as rewards.
A special mention must go to the Retford in Bloom Committee: Bob Davenport, Alan Laurie, Adrian Sumner, Lesley Sumner, Derek Turner, Joan Turner, Mylle West, and Brenda Wilson, whose dedication and enthusiasm have ensured another successful year for Retford in Bloom.
At the Presentation Evening held at Grove Street Methodist Church, certificates were presented by the President of the Rotary Club of Retford, Marjorie Crookes, and the town mayor, Councillor David Naylor. This year’s event was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Retford and Retford Civic Society. It was heartening to see so many attendees, with schools well represented.
The winners of this year’s competition are:
Front Gardens
East Ward – Small:
- 1st – 4 Brixworth Way
- 2nd – 16 Holly Road
- 3rd –15 Avon Rise
- Highly Commended – 9 Crossways and 31 Gomersall Road
East Ward – Large:
- 1st – 13 Durham Grove
- 2nd – 17 Cornwall Road
- 3rd – 48 Blackstope Lane
- Highly Commended – 24 St Saviours Close and 1 Winston Grove
North Ward – Small:
- 1st – 15 Oakdale Road
- 2nd – 52 Galway Crescent
- 3rd – 105 Windsor Road
North Ward – Large:
- 1st= – 118 Cambourne Crescent and 1 Tiln Court
South Ward – Small:
- 1st – 1 St Helens Road
- 2nd – 2 Marquis Gardens
- 3rd – 6 St Helens Road
South Ward – Large:
- 1st – 33 High Street
- 2nd= – 2 Haddon Road and 2 Rose Avenue
West Ward – Small:
- 1st – 13 West Park Place
- 2nd= – 17 Newton Street and 9 West Park Place
- 3rd – 21 Whinney Moor Lane
West Ward – Large:
- 1st – 30 Ordsall Park Road
- 2nd – The Barn, Rectory Road
- 3rd – 2 West Park Place
Waterside Gardens
- 1st= – 1 Woodcock’s Cottage
- 2nd – 1 Blackstope Lane
- 3rd – 23 Meden Way
- The Most Nominated Garden Award: 5 Hannams Cottage
Schools Potato Growing
Secondary:
- 1st – Retford Oaks Academy
Primary:
- 1st – St Swithuns C of E Primary Academy
- 2nd – St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
- 3rd – Carr Hill Primary School
Pre-School:
- 1st – All Aboard Nursery
- 2nd – West Street Pre-School
- 3rd – Claremont House Nursery
The Maggie Battersby School Award and Inspired Garden Award 2024
- St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
Pubs
- 1st – The Black Boy
- 2nd – The Brick and Tile
- 3rd= – The Dominie Cross and The Turk’s Head
Shop and Business Fronts
- 1st – Kings Coffee Shop
- 2nd – The Glasshouse
- 3rd – Hurton Funeral Directors
Community Award
- Bassetlaw District Council Parks and Open Spaces Department – for wonderful flower displays throughout Retford and achieving the Green Flag Award for another year
- St Giles School – for creating flower beds in front of Goodwin Hall, making wooden tubs for growing flowers, and creating a wooden bin storage area
- Retford Rotary Club – for litter picks, tree planting, and recycling projects
- Rufford Avenue Allotment Community Project – Plot 51 – for working with young people who are not in education, training, or employment, helping them develop new skills under the mentorship of skilled craftspeople
- Muddy Fork – for supporting people facing mental health challenges, helping them improve their wellbeing through outdoor gardening and conservation activities
- Darren Glidden – for planting flowers in a small space, allowing everyone to appreciate them
A big thank you to everyone who took part in Retford in Bloom and added a ‘WOW’ factor to life in Retford!