Middlethorpe Hall Hotel celebrates Yorkshire In Bloom awards (From York Press)

Middlethorpe Hall Hotel celebrates Yorkshire In Bloom awards

9:14am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News

STAFF at a York hotel are celebrating after a dose of floral glory at the Yorkshire In Bloom awards.

Middlethorpe Hotel and Spa’s head gardener, David Barker, collected a gold award in the large hotel category at a ceremony at York Racecourse – the third year running he and the hotel have been honoured in the competition.

The Yorkshire In Bloom results saw York secure a gold accolade in the city section, with similar individual gongs also going to Dunnington , Homestead Park, Naburn Lock Caravan Park and Rosevale Care Home in Wigginton .

David has also recently claimed the head gardener’s gold award for fruit-growing at the Harrogate Flower Show.

Middlethorpe Hotel director and general manager Lionel Chatard said: “I am very proud of our hardworking garden team, both professional and volunteers, who have successfully managed to consistently impress the jury and hotel and restaurant guests over the years.

“Since the hall was saved from neglect in 1980, it has always been our motto to recreate the gardens as they would have been in the 18th century.”

On Middlethorpe Hall’s entry, judges said “no corner has been left unturned” and described the gardens as “wonderful”.

York’s other top Yorkshire In Bloom performer was Earswick Scented Garden, which was rated “outstanding” in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category.

York In Bloom co-ordinator Liz Levett said: “I want to thank everybody who has got behind York In Bloom and put in so much hard work to secure the gold award for the city of York.

“The result not only reflects their talents and passion but also their pride in the city, making it look so wonderful for people who work, visit and live here.”