Hotels, shops and schools were among those recognised for their floral displays at the Harrogate in Bloom awards last night.

The annual awards ceremony, which was held at West Park Hotel in Harrogate, honours individuals and businesses who use flowers to make the town more attractive.

Pam Grant and Chris Beard organise the judging each year on behalf of Harrogate in Bloom, which is a voluntary group formed in 1989 to support council efforts to maintain the town’s reputation as a floral town.

The winners included Helen James Flowers, which won the shop window competition, the White Hart Hotel, which won the hotels and guesthouses category and Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School, which won the schools contest.

(from left) Matthew Chapman, Pam Grant and Chris Beard at last night’s awards.

The awards were organised by Harrogate Business Improvement District, which runs various floral-themed initiatives, including the Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration. It also provides floral displays as part of its mission to encourage more people to visit the town centre.

Ms Grant, president of Harrogate in Bloom, said the support of the BID meant there was “a real opportunity to bring back the halcyon days when Harrogate was the floral capital of northern England”.

Nick Smith, director of Harrogate Flower Shows, which stages the annual spring and autumn flowers shows in Harrogate and at Newby Hall near Ripon, compered the awards ceremony.

Harrogate in Bloom winners 2023

HAMMOND MANN TROPHY – SCHOOLS COMPETITION

Richard Taylor C of E School

Mc CRINDLE TROPHY – SHOP WINDOW COMPETITION

Helen James Flowers

CROWTHER TROPHY – HOTELS AND GUESTHOUSES

The White Hart

HARROGATE IN BLOOM SHIELD – COMMUNAL GROUNDS CATEGORY

Royal House – Laxford Ltd

PARKS DEPT ROSE SHIELD

The Winter Gardens

BETTY’S TEAPOT – RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY

Swan Court

CHAMBER OF TRADE AND COMMERCE TROPHY – DISCRETIONARY AWARD

Open Country

PRESIDENT’S AWARD – DISCRETIONARY AWARD

Refuse Collection Team

MAYOR’S TROPHY – DISCRETIONARY AWARD

Carolyn Rothwell

EDGAR SCHOLEY SHIELD – BEST ALLOTMENT SITE

Pine Street Allotment Site

HARROGATE COUNCIL TROPHY – BEST ALLOTMENT PLOT

Peter Walker – Pine Street Allotment Site