VOLUNTEERS in Middleton-in-Teesdale say they will no longer take part in the Northumbria-in-Bloom competition.
The announcement comes just weeks after the village won gold – the environment competition’s highest accolade.
Organisers cited a dwindling number of volunteers and increasingly complex judging criteria as reasons for quitting.
However, they say they will continue to do their work, with their focus now shifting to ensuring the village looks its best in time for the annual carnival in August.
Addressing Middleton-in-Teesdale Parish Council last week, co-ordinator Pam Phillips said: “This is not necessarily a permanent withdrawal from the competition, but it will be our position for the foreseeable future.
“The Middleton-in-Bloom group very much enjoys our community gardening in the village. We love to see the village full of flowers, looking tidy and attractive for all our residents and visitors. This is our aim, and we aim to have lots of fun too.”
Explaining the decision to quit the competition, Mrs Phillips added: “The judging criteria are often complex and very challenging, and they are clearly driven by the priorities of the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society). This means that many of the criteria are too much for us and don’t fit in with our priority of simply making sure the village looks tidy.
“The village is large, but we are a relatively small team who are getting on in years. This means that meeting the judging criteria by the deadlines is often arduous and beyond our capabilities. The huge amount of paper work required for both spring and summer judging places unacceptable pressure on us at this time.”
She proposed that the agreement between the group and the parish council be maintained and the annual “village tidy-up” organised by the council be continued.
Mrs Phillips said: “The aims and constitution of Middleton-in-Bloom will remain the same. We will keep our name and do our spring and summer planting, and sweep and tidy as we always have. Furthermore, we will work hand-in-hand with the parish council, seeking your support in all that we do and reporting back to you on a regular basis.
“Our focus in summer will become the carnival. We will work to ensure the village is looking its very best for the carnival.
“Entry into Northumbria-in-Bloom competition remains a possibility should the Middleton-in-Bloom groups of the future decide to take on this challenge.”
Earlier in the meeting parish councillors had spontaneously burst into applause while congratulating the volunteers on their achievement in this year’s competition.
