Two villages scoop top award in gardening competition

The pretty neighbouring villages have scooped a top award in this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

Their community effort was coordinated by Harthill with Woodall Parish Council and took a gold prize in the large village category.

It represents a step up the podium after two near misses in 2016 and 2017, when a silver gilt was awarded, and is the first gold for the village in nine years.

A team of more than 30 volunteers has been credited with the hard work of planting, weeding, watering and maintenance of beds.

All plants are sourced locally, including many grown by the volunteers themselves. 

Parish council chairman, Cllr Ian Lloyd, picked up the prize at the Yorkshire In Bloom awards ceremony in York last Tuesday.

He said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Harthill with Woodall. 

“Last year, we missed out on gold by one point so to make it over the line this time is very rewarding. 

“It has been very much a team effort and thanks go to our wonderful volunteers, sponsors and community groups, to our parish clerk, Caroline

Havenhand, for co-ordinating our efforts so expertly, and to Rotherham Borough Council, who gave us excellent support. 

“We are delighted with the result and will always strive to keep the Parish looking its best."

Harthill with Woodall was also awarded the 2018 Yorkshire Rose Discretionary Small Communities Award. 

The judges said: “This tight-knit community are fully behind In Bloom and all elements across the two villages are working to create and sustain a village to be proud of.”