Despite the very wet August, 2023 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 which was introduced two years ago.
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, managed to produce welcoming and colourful displays.
We must remember to shop, eat and drink locally if we want our town centre to survive.
Schools and pre-school centres received their potato growing kits and a number have managed, by various means, 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 a Presentation Evening at Churchgate Hall, Grove Street Methodist Church, certificates were presented by the President of the Rotary Club of Retford, Mary Danby. The Rotary Club of Retford together with Retford Civic Society had sponsored this year’s event. It was wonderful to see so many people in attendance.
Winners
Front Gardens
East Ward – Small
- 1st: 4 Brixworth Way and 37 Strawberry Road
- 2nd: 16 Holly Road
- 3rd 19 and 21 Storcroft Road
- Highly Commended: 26 Trent Street
East Ward – Large
- 1st: 13 Durham Grove
- 2nd: 17 Cornwall Road
- 3rd: 24 St Saviours Close and 78 Bigsby Road
North Ward – Small
- 1st: 10 Windsor Road Bungalow
- 2nd: 52 Galway Crescent
- 3rd: 4 Oakdale Road
North Ward – Large
- 1st: 15 Oakdale Road
- 2nd: 1 Tiln Court
South Ward – Small
- 1st: 4 Rutland Avenue
- 2nd: 14 Cavendish Road
- 3rd: 2 Black Hereford Way
West Ward – Small
- 1st: 17 Newton Street
- 2nd: 87 and 89 Cobwell Road
- 3rd: 2A Ordsall Park Road
West Ward – Large
- 1st: The Barn, Rectory Road
- 2nd: 30 Ordsall Park Road
- 3rd: 9 Manvers Road and 15 Northumbria Drive
Waterside Gardens
1st: 1 Blackstope Lane and 5 Hannams Cottages
2nd: 7 Chesterfield Drive
3rd: Pear Tree House, Pennington Walk
Consistent Achievement Award: Tony Goodchild
Schools Potato Growing
Secondary
- 1st: Retford Oaks Academy
Primary
- 1st: Carr Hill Primary School
- 2nd: St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
- 3rd: Thrumpton Primary Academy and St Swithuns C of E Primary Academy
Pre-School
- 1st: West Street Pre-School
- 2nd: Orchard School Nursery
- 3rd: Claremont House Nursery
The Maggie Battersby School Award:
- Carr Hill Primary School
Inspired Garden Award 2023:
- St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
Pubs
- 1st: The Black Boy
- 2nd: The Brick and Tile
- 3rd: The Dominie Cross
Shop and Business Fronts
- 1st: Kings Coffee Shop
- 2nd: The Glasshouse
- 3rd: 16A Grove Street
Community Award
- Bassetlaw District Council Parks and Open Spaces Department for wonderful flower displays throughout Retford and for achieving the Green Flag Award for another year.
Wayne Gollick and Uchenna Anuga for creating wonderful flower displays for the benefit of the residents of Newcastle House on Bridgegate. - Retford Mayflower WI for litter picking around the town.
Pam Barnsdale for her community involvement in the National Garden Scheme by opening her garden to raise charitable funds. Many individual and community groups have enjoyed visiting the garden. - Home Bargains for maintaining the lawns and bushes in front of the store and the planting of trees.
- James Marsh for planting a border of flowers in a limited space for everyone to appreciate.
Retford in Bloom organisers would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who takes part in Retford in Bloom and adds a wow factor to life in Retford!