Hull in bloom

The city-wide competition will be judged in the first three weeks of July in a wide range of categories, including best front garden, best school, best public house, best commercial display and best community effort.

And there’s even an award for best hanging basket.

“It doesn’t matter how big your garden is - you could even win something with just a small tub on your front doorstep,” says council horticulture manager Andrew Wilson.

“The main aim is to improve the environment that we live in, because it makes such a difference if we have colourful gardens.”

Branching out from grass roots This could be the biggest year yet for Hull in Bloom.

Organisers hope to attract between 250 and 300 entries this year, compared to 170 last year.

Hull in Bloom first starts as a local competition within each of the city’s seven committee areas - that’s West, Wyke, Riverside, Northern, North Carr, East and Park.

Those winners then move on to the citywide finals.

“There’s a chance to win prizes on a local level first - and after that, there’s some good healthy rivalry between the areas,” said Mr Wilson.

“But then, suddenly everyone is on the same team when the city is automatically entered in the next level up - The Yorkshire in Bloom competition - against rival towns and cities across the region.”

He said: “Recycling issues are becoming more and more important in the regional competition now - because it’s not just about how we make the environment look, it’s also about how we look after it too.

“This will be the first year in which Hull can show off the new waste and recycling centre at Burma Drive, so we’re hoping to pick up extra points for that.”

Winners of categories in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition go through to the Britain in Bloom competition - as did Hull City Centre in 1999.

Last year’s overall Hull in Bloom winner Colin Rickles says he’s determined not to part with his trophy.

He won it after taking on his late father’s garden, at 14th Avenue on North Hull Estate.

His father, Frank, had entered the garden, for ten years running but only ever came second.

He died just months before the judging last year - but Colin wasn’t going to let the garden go to seed.

Colin, who was praised by judges for the inspiration he gave to other gardeners in his neighbourhood, said: “My dad would have been over the moon if I won it again, after all the effort he put in.

“I’m going to try my best to hold on to the trophy. I don’t think anyone’s won it twice in a row, so that’s my goal.” Colin (43), who works as a labourer, has already suffered a few setbacks, including panes in his greenhouse being smashed by vandals.

And the wooden archway in his front garden has blown down. But he’s ready for the competition. He started preparing his garden back in February - in the depths of the winter. He has plans for new decking, trellises and hanging baskets. And he’s planning to enter the back garden in the competition this year as well!

Other winners of Hull in Bloom last year included The Bakersville Allotment Project, part of Newland Avenue Allotments, for Best Wildlife Project; The Goodfellowship, Cottingham Road, for best public house; and Sunningdale Court Care Centre, Newbridge Road, for Best Commercial Display.

To enter Hull in Bloom, pick up an entry form from your local area committee office or telephone 300300 to receive one by post.