Warwick in Bloom winners presented with prizes

The winners of this year's Warwick in Bloom competition were presented their prizes at the weekend.

This year the competition took on a digital format and in July the category winners were announced.

In judging the competition, the Warwick in Bloom team was joined by Simon Lycett, the internationally recognised floral stylist and florist to the Royal Households, as this year’s head judge.

Born and brought up in Warwick, Simon is today one of the UK’s most eminent event florists.

Last weekend, Warwick Mayor, Cllr Terry Morris and the Mayor's Consort Liz Jackson, went to present the winners with their certificates and prizes.

Town Crier Michael Reddy and Cllr Richard Eddy also accompanied Terry and Liz to the presentations.

Warwick Mayor, Cllr Terry Morris said: "Liz and I had great fun presenting the category winners of this year’s “Warwick in Bloom – at home” event with their certificates and prizes on Saturday.

"Congratulations to all of the residents of Albert Street who took the overall prize and many of whom came to their doors to hear the Town Crier proclaim them as winners.

"My biggest smile of the day was presenting three-year-old Harvey with his unique planter in the shape of a castle.

"The fun continued with surprise visits to Ann and Emma with neither of them aware of what was planned until we arrived at their front door.

"Thanks to Cllr Richard Eddy for arranging this year’s socially-distanced competition and awards ceremony as well as to Mandy Littlejohn for her continued contribution to Warwick in Bloom.

"Lastly, thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated and played their part in making Warwick in Bloom possible."

Cllr Richard Eddy, chair of community culture at Warwick Town Council, said: "Running this year’s Warwick in Bloom as a ‘from home’ competition during lockdown has shown how gardening and planting is both a welcome distraction and a rewarding activity.

"All our 2020 category winners had a lockdown story around their planting.

"Whether it be three-year-old Harvey’s first potted plants that he saw grow over the months, the way that Ann, our container category winner, planted colour schemes relating to other events she could not attend due to restrictions and Emma’s wedding-gifted plants in her winning garden reminding her of loved ones.

"And of course there was the planting and decorations from the residents of Albert Street, who made their community space look great and brought them unity through the spring and summer.

"In presenting the category winners’ certificates and prizes, it was joyous to see how much their wins and their planting had meant to them all this year.”