CLEETHORPES In Bloom celebrated its best year ever – but there's little time to bask in the success as the national award ceremony will bring 500 people into the resort next year.
The Cleethorpes In Bloom committee rewarded the Local Competition winners for their efforts in a year that saw the resort win a Gold Award in the Champion Of Champions competition, competing against the best towns in Britain.
Gardeners and gardening groups were also handed It's Your Neighbourhood certificates by East Midlands In Bloom for their individual efforts.
Cleethorpes In Bloom chairman Bob Callison told the audience at McCormack's bar that Cleethorpes, which he called "the golden coast", had become "the envy of other towns" – thanks to their hard work throughout the year.
However, the group will have no time to rest on their laurels as they turn their attention to next year when the resort will host the Britain In Bloom awards ceremony, as reported in Monday's Telegraph.
The event is expected to bring about 500 people from the nation's best gardening towns into the resort next October, although the specific date has not yet been announced.
Vice-chairman Jeff Blanchard said: "We have proudly taken judges around a specific route in previous years, however, next year they will see the whole town when they come to visit.
"Yet again, we need to step up our efforts to show that we can be proud of the whole resort.
"Without your help and support, no matter how small your contribution, we could not have achieved what we did this year and in the past."
Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Mike Burton attended to celebrate the success of the group. He said: "I'm a keen gardener myself so I know the level of effort and commitment that goes into these competitions.
"There is a noticeable improvement in the appearance of the whole of North East Lincolnshire since towns started taking part in the In Bloom competitions."
Keith Brown, gardening club co-ordinator for St Peter's Church Of England School, took three of the children to pick up their Special Achievement Award in the School category.
He said: "The club has made the school much nicer and the children are very proud to pick up the award.
Borge Mejrup, owner of Lollipop Road Train, winner of the award for best attraction said: "The resort has never looked so good and it is great for tourism."
