Durham City, hoping for yet another victory in the Britain in Bloom contest, welcomed judges from the competition earlier this week.

The judges – from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals competition – were greeted by representatives of the Durham in Bloom partnership and Durham County Council’s Civic Pride and Clean and Green Teams.

After a number of triumphs in recent years, Durham City is now competing in the contest’s Champion of Champions category.

Durham clinched gold medals in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018. In 2018, the city was also declared Best Small City in the UK.

The Britain in Bloom judges began their tour at Durham Town Hall. They then examined displays in a number of locations, including Wharton Park, Durham Cathedral, Palace Green, St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Oswald Court and Durham University Botanic Garden.

In addition, the judges met representatives from Gilesgate Primary School, Durham Business Improvement District, the city’s business community, and community groups, as well as local residents.

The winners of Britain in Bloom – which is the UK’s largest gardening contest – will be declared in October.

Durham County Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, Cllr Brian Stephens, said, “We were delighted to welcome the national Britain in Bloom judges to Durham.”

“It was a real honour to showcase our magnificent floral displays around the city and for judges to meet the amazing partners and volunteers who work so hard to make Durham an attractive place to live, work and visit.”

“Our Britain in Bloom entries are always a real team effort and I’d like to thank everyone who took part in all the environmental projects.”

You can learn more about Durham in Bloom by going to http://www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom or following the city’s campaign on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/durhambloom.

(This article’s featured image shows a group photograph of the Durham in Bloom group and the visiting judges.)