Hopton is blooming lovely

Hopton in Bloom volunteers in 2012 celebrating with champagne after winning their category at Yorkshire in Bloom and a silver gilt award.

After the villagewon a gold award in last year’s Yorkshire in Bloom ceremony, it was chosen to represent Yorkshire in the national competition.

Judging starts on Monday, with Upper Hopton natives keen to keep up the village’s fine tradition of its gardens looking blooming wonderful!

Kathryn Cockerill from Hopton in Bloom, said: “In 2012 we were overjoyed when we achieved a gold award from Yorkshire in Bloom but this year saw us jumping for joy at the Yorkshire in Bloom Awards Ceremony at York Racecourse when we were awarded Gold and best in category 1B Village. Now to be chosen to represent Yorkshire in Britain in Bloom is really a fantastic opportunity.

“Our success has been achieved by sustained and continuous effort by our team, who last year worked steadily through one of the coldest winters with lots of snow and a very late spring.

“We also have wonderful support in many different ways from the residents in Upper Hopton who will, I am sure, be on board for a year of great activity in the hope of achieving Gold.”

This is the first year Hopton in Bloom has been a national finalist and RHS Community Horticulture Manager Stephanie Eynon was keen to wish Hopton the best of luck.

She said: “This is a really special year to be an RHS Britain in Bloom finalist because it’s the fiftieth anniversary of the campaign.

“Of course, it’s not about beating fellow finalists, it’s about volunteers of all ages and walks of life gaining recognition for their extraordinary efforts to improve streets and neighbourhoods in towns, villages and cities across Britain.

“The awards are our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ and may I wish Hopton in Bloom the very best of luck in this golden anniversary year.”

The winners of Britain in Bloom will be announced later this year.

Judges Kim Parish and Sue Wood will arrive in Mirfield at 10am on Monday to judge the gardens.

For more information on the event, contact Chris Breare on 01924492530 or 07802567152 or visit the website: www.upperhoptonvillage.co.uk