Blooming marvellous! Great Coates reaches national In Bloom final

The annual Britain In Bloom awards, ran by the Royal Horticultural Society, celebrate villages, towns and cities that have gone the extra mile to beautify their area.

Having won the East Midlands in Bloom category, they were put forward to the national judging in the large village category. Great Coates is one of eight in the category including the likes of Floral Forest in Guernsey and Saundersfoot in Bloom in Wales.

Royal Horticultural Society Judges, Roger Burnett and Ian Beaney, visited the village to compare its displays to the other competitors before an overall winner is declared late this year.

For founders and long time residents Mike and Dawn Stewart, it’s an honour to even be nominated. “We started the group five years ago after myself and Mike wanted to make the area near the war memorial look more appealing,” said Dawn.

“After that, two of our friends decided they wanted to help us do more to the village in general and it went from there.”

To start with, Dawn and Mike spent four hours a day taking milk bottles full of water around the village for the flowers they’d planted. Now, the 16 strong volunteers take it in turn watering the 160 displays, taking two hours at a time.

“I’ve lived here 65 years now and we just want to bring it back to it’s former glory and hopefully put North East Lincolnshire on the map,” said Dawn.

Clerk of the village council, Carl Thomas, is also part of the volunteer group and says that there is more to their efforts than just flowers. “We litter pick, commemorate significant events and  look after the train station after becoming adopters on behalf of  East Midlands Railway and work with local community groups to teach them about gardening.

“For example, we work with Cambridge Park Academy who have a dedicated garden next to our village hall that they come and tend to every week.

"The In Bloom Group have brought pride to the village and both residents and visitors love the splendour of the flowers which equally brings happiness."

Also in attendance was The Worshipful The Mayor of the Borough of North east Lincolnshire Steve Beasant and Mayoress Sandra Hullett who planted an oak tree to celebrate 60 years of the Royal Horticultural Society in the grounds of the village hall. It’s hoped this will help to increase the tree canopy and biodiversity in the area, along with offsetting carbon footprint within the village.

The group also have a range of pony wagons, planters, benches and even a wooden train displaying flowers all year round. The results of the Britain In Bloom competition will be announced this autumn.