YORKSHIRE In Bloom judges were given an unexpected surprise when judging entries in York and East Yorkshire this week.

The judges, who were visiting the entries’ spring showcase of flowers, were greeted by re-enactment group the Volsung Vikings in Stamford Bridge, which help the village put on its annual Viking Festival.

The village has also started a conservation group to look after the viaduct and riverbanks, has had information boards put up about the local wildlife and created a picnic area on the riverbank, to complete the picture.

Bryan Lawson, chairman of Stamford Bridge’s entry, said: “Yorkshire In Bloom isn’t just flowers, it’s a lot more than that. We wanted to show how we get involved in the community.”

In Haxby, the judging was organised to combine with Wigginton and Haxby Flower Club’s flower arrangement competition as well as the Women’s Institute coffee morning and the memorial hall open day.

“The whole day was fantastic,” said Margaret Moran, clerk to Haxby Town Council.

“Haxby looked beautiful. The weather of course helps, but a lot of hard work has gone into our first year entering Yorkshire In Bloom.”

She said they were optimistic that they had impressed the judges, who will return for a summer viewing on July 6.

“We still have the daffodils in flower and have a large number of planters along the hitching rails in the village. We asked residents all over the village to put their own individual pots outside their houses, which they did in large numbers.”

She said residents and businesses have also donated money to fund the village’s planters and flowers.

“We’re very pleased with way residents and businesses of Haxby have supported the project and community spirit was brilliant.”

Thirteen areas of York will compete in this year’s Yorkshire In Bloom competition, with York and Dunnington competing in the national Britain In Bloom contest.