Despite the hot and dry start to the year, 2025 proved to be another flourishing year for Retford in Bloom, with many new front garden entries, returning high achievers and continued enthusiasm for the Waterside Gardens category, introduced four years ago. Local pubs once again rose to the challenge, producing colourful and magnificent displays. Their efforts, despite challenging times, served as a reminder of the importance of supporting local businesses. Schools and pre-school centres also played their part, receiving potato and sunflower growing kits. Many achieved excellent results, earning certificates and garden centre tokens for their hard work and creativity.
A special mention goes to the Retford in Bloom Committee – Bob Davenport, Alan Laurie, Adrian and Lesley Sumner, Derek and Joan Turner, Mylle West, Joan Garton, Marjorie Crookes, Chris Collins, Irene Lewis and Ann Clay-Thomas – whose dedication ensured another successful year for the competition. The Presentation Evening at Grove Street Methodist Church was well attended, with certificates presented by Mary Saddington, President of the Rotary Club of Retford, and Councillor Harriet Digby, Town Mayor. The event was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Retford and Retford Civic Society.
Results
Front Gardens
- East Ward (Small): first – 17 Osberton Road; second – 4 Brixworth Way; third – 9 Crossways and 15 Spa Common.
- East Ward (Large): first – 1 Winston Grove; second – 13 Durham Close; third – 24 St Saviours Close.
- North Ward (Small): first – 15 Oakdale Road; second – 118 Cambourne Crescent; third – 145 Galway Crescent.
- North Ward (Large): first – 1 Tiln Court; second – Rustic Lodge, Cricket Field Lane; third – 52 Galway Crescent.
- South Ward (Small): first – 58 White Park Place; second – 6 Church Lane; third – 1 Cheyne Court and 7 Lindrick Court.
- Highly Commended: 29 Edgbaston Drive; 6 Troon Court; 1 Oxton Way.
- South Ward (Large): first – 2 Marquis Gardens; second – 1 St Helen’s Road; third – 33 High Street.
- Consistent High Standard Over Many Years: 33 High Street, Ordsall; Highly Commended: 13 Chidmere.
- West Ward (Small): first 13 – West Park Place; second – 2a Ordsall Park Road; third – 21 Whinney Moor Lane and 23 West Park Place.
- West Ward (Large): first – 30 Ordsall Park Road and The Rectory Barn (Rectory Road); second – 3 Babworth Crescent.
Waterside Gardens:
first – Woodcock’s Cottage; second – 5 Hannam’s Cottages; third – 23 Meden Way and 1 Blackstope Lane.
Schools – Potato Growing
- Secondary: Retford Oaks Academy.
- Primary: first – Hallcroft Infant and Nursery School; second – St Joseph’s Catholic Primary
- School; third – St Swithun’s C of E Primary Academy.
- Pre–School: first – West Street Pre–School; second – Claremont House Nursery.
Sunflower Growing - Pre–School: Claremont House Nursery School.
- Primary: first – Hallcroft Infant and Nursery School; second – St Swithun’s C of E Primary Academy.
- Secondary: first – Elizabethan High School; second – Retford Oaks Academy.
Special Awards
- Most Improved School Garden 2025: St Swithun’s C of E Primary Academy.
- Maggie Battersby School and Inspired Garden Award 2024: Hallcroft Infant and Nursery School.
Pubs First:
The Domine Cross; second – The Brick and Tile; third – The Idle Valley Tap and The Gate Inn. Highly Commended: The King and Miller and The Turks Head.
Shops and Businesses
First – Kings Coffee Shop; second – E Hurton and Son Funeral Directors; third – The Glass Lounge and Rondo Lounge.
Community awards
- Bassetlaw District Council Parks and Open Spaces Department for their superb flower displays and another Green Flag Award.
- Pam Barnsdale for planting spring bulbs near My Gym.
- Sloswicke’s Almshouses for their communal garden combining vegetables and flowers.
- Bassetlaw Museum for its beautiful volunteer-maintained floral and vegetable garden.
- Grove Street Methodist Church for creating a public community garden and vegetable plot.
- Trinity Hospital Estates for the gardens and hanging baskets along Bridgegate.
- Retford Bowls Club for colourful floral displays enjoyed by members and visitors.
- Heath Williams for maintaining his own and neighbours’ gardens to the delight of all who pass.
A huge thank you to everyone who takes part in Retford in Bloom and adds a welcome wow-factor to life in Retford!