After months of planting, watering and pruning, it was finally time for the people of Cleethorpes to be recognised for their gardening efforts.
The red carpet was rolled out for that time of year again – the Cleethorpes In Bloom presentation.
The Sunnyside Club was full to the brim as celebrations got under way.
Chairman and vice chair of the Cleethorpes In Bloom committee, Bob Callison and Jeff Blanchard, kicked off proceedings.
Bob said: “We can’t believe it’s that time of year again.
“We want to congratulate everyone for what they have done over the year.
“I say the same thing every year but each time the judging gets tougher and tougher.
“It was very hard this year and it was close.
“There were some extremely good entrants.”
“It’s been a tremendous year and we’re very excited.
“But it’s not all about the Cleethorpes team, it’s about you and your talent.”
The winners on the night were:
Young gardener of the year - Thomas and Faith Rice, 4 and 6.
Thomas and Faith both attend Reynolds Children’s Centre and they impressed the judges with their knowledge of vegetables.
Schools award - Reynolds Children’s Centre.
Street award - Whitehall Country Cottages.
Community Alleyway:
Bronze - Daubney Street Neighbourhood Watch Sea End
Silver - Crowhill Avenue Neighbourhood Watch
Gold - Kew Road Neighbourhood Watch
Residential Front Garden:
Bronze - Teresa Bassett
Silver - Mrs D Labourne
Gold - Brian Rose
Business:
Merit Award - Hotel 77
Group Dwelling -
Merit Award - Old Library Residential Care Home
Olive from the Old Library was presented with a framed photo of when she met the East Midlands In Bloom judges.
Bronze - Ash Grove Nursing Home
Silver - Barkhouse Close
Gold - Church Court
Geff described Church Court as “a fantastic little garden tucked away behind St Aiden’s Church”.
Best Church - St Francis of Assisi
Public House:
Bronze - Brewers Fayre on Meridian Point
Silver - The Pear Tree
Gold - The New Sunnyside Club
Attraction - Lollipop Express Train
The evening concluded with a prize raffle and buffet.
Speaking after the presentation, Bob said: “Judging was extremely hard this year.
“We had quite a few first-time entrants.
“It has been fantastic, not only are we representing at East Midlands In Bloom but also Britain In Bloom.
“We are up against the best of the best.
“The East Midlands judging went exceptionally well.
“In Bloom isn’t just about the flowers, it’s everything that makes somewhere a nice place to live.
“Team Cleethorpes have worked extremely hard and we couldn’t do out without the North East Lincolnshire groundsmen and street cleaners.”
Bob said the preparations for 2016 are already well underway and promises next year’s In Bloom efforts will be better than ever.
The presentations for East Midlands In Bloom winners takes place in September.
While the national Britain In Bloom presentation will be held in Sunderland in October.