Skipton Stepping Stones gardeners win Yorkshire in Bloom gold (From Craven Herald)

Skipton Stepping Stones gardeners win Yorkshire in Bloom gold

9:00am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in News

Community gardening project Stepping Stones 2 has struck gold in the Yorkshire in Bloom contest.

And, the Skipton -based scheme, which supports adults with learning needs, was also judged the overall winner of the category for public, private and charitable establishments.

Now it is considering painting the postbox at its Aireville base gold Dawn Barrett, team leader at Stepping Stones, said: “I am extremely proud. They have worked so hard towards this. We were hoping to win gold, but to win the category as well is absolutely amazing. Our clients thoroughly deserve it.”

The project is responsible for planting at various locations around Skipton, but won the accolade for its own site, which has a wildlife area and vegetable patches.

In their feedback, the judges said it was hard to think of anything that could be improved.

And the project has another reason to celebrate - it was a key player in the Skipton town entry, which was also awarded a gold medal, but just missed out on winning the category. That honour went to Garforth.

Skipton in Bloom chairman Coun Robert Heseltine said: “This gold accolade is the culmination of many years of consistent dedication, blood, sweat and tears from all involved in Skipton in Bloom, particularly the band of volunteers who give unstintingly of their time.

“We are pleased to have played a considerable part in making our town of Skipton brighter, cleaner and more colourful for locals, businesses and visitors. It puts the icing on the cake of a remarkable year, with the Queen’s diamond jubilee and our local Olympians’ successes.

“I am personally delighted that Stepping Stones achieved gold - they are the true unsung heroes.”

Dave Parker, chief officer of Skipton Town Council, said: “The town council has supported and worked with Skipton in Bloom for many years and we’re absolutely delighted that the group has now achieved a gold award for the town. The sheer amount of hard work put in by this growing group of volunteers is tremendous – and they very much deserve this success.”

This year saw 270 entrants taking part in the “in bloom” competition and the winners were announced at a ceremony at York Racecourse on Tuesday.

Other local successes include a gold for Parcevall Hall Gardens at Skyreholme in the country houses, estates, parks and gardens category and silver gilts for Grassington in the village section, Craven College in the universities and college category and Holy Trinity Church, Skipton, in the public, private and charitable establishments class.

Meanwhile, Addingham will have to wait until October to find out how it has fared in the national 2012 RHS Britain in Bloom campaign.

It won the small town section last year, earning its first-ever selection for Britain in Bloom.