Northallerton neighbourhood is blooming

Published by Neil Shaefer for Broadacres in Communities and also in Housing

AN ‘outstanding’ Northallerton neighbourhood is celebrating being honoured by Yorkshire in Bloom.

Castle Close, which is made up of Broadacres Housing Association homes, enters the competition annually and in 2012 it received a Level 5 Outstanding Award in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category.

The close, which offers affordable housing in a desirable location, is well renowned for its eye-catching floral displays.

One of the residents of Castle Close, Alf Wade, takes pleasure in making sure his garden is one of the contributing factors to the area’s continued success in the competition.

He said: “The judges came twice and thought the street was fantastic. You can really see the effort people in the close have gone to in making the gardens so beautiful and such a success.

“Castle Close has been entered into the competition every year since 2008 and has done really well. Most people keep their gardens nice, not just for Yorkshire in Bloom, but for the standards to be recognised officially is wonderful.”

In addition to winning the Neighbourhood Award there is also a history of personal awards for private gardens within Castle Close and this year was no different with one household winning 3^rd place in the category ‘best garden in Yorkshire’

Laura Waddington, Broadacres Housing Officer, said: “The residents have done a fantastic job and it’s great to see people showing such pride in the communities where they live. They thoroughly deserve the award.”