Washington Village welcomes Britain in Bloom judges

Today the village is going head-to-head with five others across the UK in the Best Village category of Britain in Bloom after picking up the Best Village award and being named overall winner in last year's Northumbria in Bloom competition.

A team of 18 volunteers have worked tirelessly alongside the City Council, local schools and scouts, businesses and volunteers from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and the Princes Trust. They have worked all year round on some stunning, colourful flower beds that they hope will wow the visiting judges.

Joan Atkinson, Chair of Washington in Bloom, said: "Our win last year was a tremendous boost for all the Bloom volunteers, but what really matters is the contribution that so many in our local community make, year after year, to keeping Washington village such a truly lovely place to live in or visit."

Volunteers and representatives from the organisations who have helped prepare the village gathered this morning (Friday 5 August) to welcome the judges.

The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Alison Smith, said: "It's really exciting that Washington Village is representing our region in such a prestigious national competition.

"The volunteers have put in a tremendous amount of work, not just for the Britain in Bloom awards but keeping the village looking its best all year round.

"It's fantastic to come along today to see the beautiful display and admire the hard work carried out by all the partners and volunteers. I want to wish them the very best of luck in this competition!"

Councillor Linda Williams, Cabinet Member for Vibrant City at Sunderland City Council, said: "Washington Village its looking absolutely gorgeous this summer and its all down to the hard work of volunteers and the collaborative effort of council staff, local businesses, the fire service, Princes Trust and Barclays Bank volunteers, local schools and scouts and residents. They have done a fantastic job and I hope the judges can see how hard they have worked."

Washington Village will find out if it has been successful when the winners of each category of the Britain in Bloom awards are announced at an awards ceremony at the RHS headquarters in London on 10 October.