Washington Village shows off its 'flower power' for competition judges

The village is going head-to-head with eight others across the UK in the Best Village category of Britain in Bloom, representing the North East area from Berwick to North Yorkshire and across to the Cumbria border.

Washington Village has had previous success in the competition, picking up the Best Village award and being named overall winner in Northumbria in Bloom in 2021.

A team of 20 volunteers welcomed the judges today (Wednesday 14 August) with a 1960's 'Flower Power' themed celebration - a nod to both Washington's 60th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of the Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competition.

The regular Washington Village in Bloom team of volunteers have worked tirelessly alongside the City Council, volunteers completing Duke of Edinburgh awards and extra volunteers from Barclay's Bank on the stunning, colourful flower beds that they hope will wow the visiting judges.

Joan Atkinson, Chair of Washington in Bloom, said: "We have had extra volunteers giving their time this year and Sunderland City Council are always ready to support us with watering the beds and making sure the pavements and roads are litter free.  

"Of course, none of this would be possible without our brilliant Washington in Bloom volunteers who refuse no task throughout the year, from clearing all grassed areas of leaves, maintaining borders, and putting on fundraising events to help us buy all the plants for our changing displays.

"This year we are one of just eight villages in the UK to be invited to compete in the RHS Britain in Bloom Competition - it's just amazing for our village to represent the North East entry.  This year of course we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Washington New Town and Britain in Bloom are also celebrating their 60th anniversary, so our volunteers are all dressing in 60's clothing for our own 'flower power' judging day."

Representatives from the organisations who have helped prepare the village also attended the celebration this morning to welcome the judges, and local businesses who have supported the group are displaying pictures from local schoolchildren with the theme of 'flower power'.

Councillor Beth Jones, Washington Central ward councillor and Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism, said: "Washington Village looks beautiful this summer. Anyone who lives in or visits the village will have noticed the stunning flower displays and its all down to the hard work of the Washington Village in Bloom volunteers and the collaborative effort of council staff, local businesses, volunteers, local schools and residents. They have done a fantastic job and I hope the judges can see how hard they have worked.

"Everyone involved in the upkeep of the village can be proud that Washington Village is one of only eight villages nominated, and I wish them all the very best of luck for the judging."

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 Monday 21 October.