The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
South Holland is blooming brilliant – and the judges in a prestigious competition agree as the gold medals arrive in the district.
The results for this year’s East Midlands in Bloom contest saw both Spalding and Holbeach receive a glorious gold in the large town and town categories. Long Sutton was awarded a Silver Gilt for the small towns.
There was also a gold medal for Gosberton House School in the school garden category which also saw Long Sutton County Primary take Silver Gilt and St John the Baptist, Hawthorn Bank, Spalding, a slilver.
But the East Midlands in Bloom discretionary award for the best school fruit and vegetable garden when to St John the Baptist.
There was also an award for the Horse and Groom, Holbeach, as the best pub or hotel garden in a small town. The Punch Bowl, Spalding, took the large town award and also the best pub garden for the East Midlands.
There were special Judges’ Awards for Holbeach in Bloom’s All Saints Churchyard and also for the public entrance to St Mary’s Church, Long Sutton.
Spalding in Bloom also received an award for the town’s railway station which has been adopted by a team of volunteers.
Angela Newton, chairman of the Spalding in Bloom committee and South Holland council member, was delighted with the result.
“It is the fifth year in a row we have won gold and we are delighted. It is hard work and gets harder each year,” said Coun Newton, who has been involved for 29 years.
“It has been a difficult season and to win gold was very rewarding,” said Holbeach chairman Graham Rudkin.
“I was very chuffed,” said Mr Rudkin – who is preparing to make a start ahead of next year’s event.
The former owner of George Adams butcher, Mary and Lizzie Adams, were also mentioned for using their window in The Crescent for a display by Munchkins
Kindergarten.
There was also a mention for the team at Hughes who litter-picked the Sheep Market ahead of the judges’ arrival.
Spalding’s Springfields Outlet Shopping and Festival Gardens took the best large town retail or commercial premises.
The small town category was won by Holbeach’s G R Merchant Ltd.
The best residential garden in the large town category was won by Mr and Mrs Clarke, of Ambleside Drive.
In the small town category it was Mrs Audrey Blonder at Fairfields.
