Judging for this year’s Beautiful Durham took place on 12 and 13 July. For the first time the Trust was sponsoring an award, with judges able to make a discretionary award for “a long-term contribution to the local/civic amenity by a local resident or development”. By long tradition the results are not made known until they are announced at a special ceremony in Durham Town Hall, which this year was on 4 October.
The winner is Tom Hawkins of The Fads, Sunderland Bridge. Mr Hawkins has supported the Competition over many years both as an individual and as a catalyst for the 'In-Bloom' campaign in his local village, which has an excellent record of achievement both in the Beautiful Durham Competition and Northumbria in Bloom Competition. His outstanding personal effort and dedication has truly added to his local community's amenity.
Judging for Northumbria in Bloom took place on 18 July and, at a ceremony on 10 September at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Durham was awarded the Scottish and Newcastle Trophy for Best Large Town. Unfortunately Tenter Terrace did not feature in an award category this year.
The regional entries for Britain in Bloom are restricted to fewer categories and being chosen to represent the region is not automatic. Durham was however chosen this year and judging took place on 16 August - albeit in pouring rain! At the award ceremony in Dumfries on 3 October, Durham came second to St Hellier in Jersey in the Large Town category, and was thus the top town in mainland Britain.