Despite the very hot and dry weather, 2022 has been a good year for Retford in Bloom with many new front garden entries as well as the usual high achievers and the ‘Waterside Gardens’, a category introduced last year.
In many cases shop fronts were not able to provide their usual magnificent floral displays, but surprisingly, many pubs, despite the restrictions on their profitability during the pandemic, managed to produce welcoming and colourful displays.
Schools and Pre-School Centres received their potato growing kits and a number have managed to grow them during the extreme heat and will receive certificates, books and garden centre tokens as a reward.
A special mention must be made to the Retford in Bloom Committee: Bob Davenport, Alan Laurie, Adrian Sumner, Lesley Sumner, Derek Turner, Joan Turner, Mylle West and Jan Williamson, whose enthusiasm and involvement have once again made Retford in Bloom work successfully this year.
At the Presentation Evening at Churchgate Hall, Grove Street Methodist Church certificates were presented by the President of the Rotary Club of Retford, Geoff Matthews. The Rotary, together with Retford Civic Society, sponsored this year’s event.
And now the winners!
Front Gardens
East Ward Small: 1st – 1 The Glebe; 2nd – 10 Milnercroft Green; 3rd – 4 Oakdale Road
East Ward Large: 1st – 1 Tiln Court; 2nd – 118 Camborne Crescent
North Ward Small: 1st – 4 Brixworth Way; 2nd – 39 Gomersall Close; 3rd – Brightside, Leverton Road
North Ward Large: 1st – 13 Blackstope Lane; 2nd – 13 Durham Grove; 3rd – 1 Pennington Walk
South Ward Small: 1st – 17 Gleneagles Way; 2nd – 1 Cheyne Walk; 3rd – 2 Marquis Gardens
South Ward Large: 1st – 27 Briar Lea; 2nd – 33 High Street; 3rd – 26 The Oval
West Ward Small: 1st – = 87 and 89 Cobwell Road; 2nd – 23 West Carr Road; 3rd – 40 Darrel Road
West Ward Large: 1st – 13 West Park Place; 2nd – 30 Ordsall Park Road; 3rd – 2 Babworth Crescent
Waterside Gardens
1st – 7 Chesterfield Drive; 2nd – 5 Hannams Cottages; 3rd – 17 Osberton Road
Consistent Achievement Award
Shirley Pickersgill
Schools Potato Growing
Secondary: 1st – Retford Oaks Academy
Primary: 1st = Bracken Lane Primary and Ordsall Primary; 2nd – Carr Hill Primary; 3rd – Ordsall Primary
Pre-School: 1st – West Street Pre-School; 2nd – Orchard School Nursery; 3rd – Claremont House Nursery
The Maggie Battersby School Award
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
Inspired Garden Award
Thrumpton Primary Academy
Pubs
1st – The Brick and Tile; 2nd – The Black Boy; 3rd – The Dominie Cross
Shop and Business Fronts
1st – Kings Coffee Shop; 2nd – The Glasshouse; 3rd – Malcolm’s Taxis
Community Award
Bassetlaw District Council Parks Department – wonderful flower displays throughout Retford and for achieving the Green Flag Award for another year.
Wayne Gollick for creating wonderful flower displays for the benefit of the residents of Newcastle House on Bridgegate.
The staff at Retford Station for their flower displays that brighten up the platform and create a colourful and warm welcome for visitors to Retford.
Retford Civic Society members Joan Turner and Lesley Sumner for organising the planting of a Platinum Jubilee Tree in King’s Park and the creation of a Kings’ Park Tree Trail leaflet.
A big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who takes part in Retford in Bloom and adds a wow factor to life in Retford!