Five in a row for Myerscough College Gardens at North West in Bloom

The judging saw Myerscough successfully defend the title first won in 2012. The achievement was recognised at a ceremony of the 2016 Britain in Bloom North West Awards, held at the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre.

North West in Bloom is one of the largest environmental campaigns in the country and has run annually since 1964. It’s aimed at encouraging local communities to care for their local environment through imaginative planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping, conservation and recycling projects.

The Regional Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts who look at factors such as horticultural excellence, community involvement, environmental friendliness and sustainability.

Ann Turner, Myerscough College’s Chief Executive and Principal, said: “We are delighted that our gardens have once again been recognised by North West in Bloom as a leading tourist attraction in the area. We work very hard in maintaining them and making them an attraction that is both pleasing on the eye and popular with the general public.”

‘’We are extremely proud of the gardens here at Myerscough and we are pleased that the hard work of the team has been rewarded yet again’’.

‘’This award recognises not just our beautiful gardens but the wider experience in Plantworld and our inviting Garden Tea Rooms.  Throughout the warmth of the welcome and informed, friendly staff ensured that we retained the award for an amazing fifth year.

‘’This is a fantastic team effort. Congratulations to Triss (Melia) and all the staff in Plantworld, Sam in the gardens, Jimmy May and his team and the Garden Tea Rooms team for their efforts throughout the year, to make the facilities so popular & welcoming. Also thanks to our greenspace staff and students for their contribution to our prize winning facilities.

‘’This year as part of a new initiative the Plantworld team have promoted the attraction to gardening clubs throughout the region, encouraging them to visit the gardens, providing tour guides and then encouraging to stop and enjoy what we have to offer.’’

Myerscough Gardens are at the rear of the Plantworld centre and cover an area of more than an acre, and contain twenty themed plant borders set into a large lawned area, a pond and bog garden, a large collection of trees and an ornamental kitchen garden. The whole area, along with a tea room and garden centre, was first established in the early 1980s and remains as popular as ever.