WEST Auckland volunteers are celebrating after earning the highest accolade in the large village category of
the Northumbria-in-Bloom Awards.
The village earned a silver gilt award, the second highest possible in the competition. (No gold awards were given).
However, judges had given West Auckland a gold for its colourful floral display.
Organiser of the village’s entry, Audrey Beck, said she was pleased with the result.
She added: “But we don’t do it for the award, we do it for the people in the village. Every time we go out [to do planting] people tell us how beautiful it is.”
One resident was so impressed that he knocked on Mrs Beck’s door last week to hand over 200 crocus bulbs, along with two bags of daffodils.
Fellow volunteer Debbie Slack said the display gave people more pride in their village. She added: “I do think people are using our village more, they are walking around and using the benches.”
Helper Evelyn Slack said: “It has changed people’s perception of the village.”
The displays, she said, had helped dispel the image of West Auckland as a pit village and it had attracted new people, including young families to move in.
Mrs Sewell said she was particularly happy with a footpath the group had helped to regenerate.
She said: “My pride is the footpath from Oakley Cross School to the Darlington Road. People used to say they didn’t like walking down it because it was dark and dirty. Now people love to walk down there.” Mrs Slack added: “I take my grandchildren down there just to see what is happening.”
The village earned silver for its spring planting with the judges saying it was to a high standard, with containers and street furniture being very well maintained. Judges also complimented the group on their involvement with the wider-community. However, they recommended the volunteers do more sustainable planting. The summer judging was far more positive and the village received a gold award.
The judges said: “The planting of borders, beds and tubs was very high quality – plants were well maintained and the attention to detail was commendable. Planting was a mix of perennial and annual to give the colour expected by the community and supporters.” The judges recommended the volunteers make a gradual move towards more perennial planting.
