THEY’RE certainly no strangers to success – and members of Washington Village in Bloom are hoping they can pick up more silverware this week as they head to the final of the UK’s most prestigious gardening competition.
Members of Washington Village in Bloom – perhaps better known as ‘the Bloomers’ – have headed to Rochdale today ahead of prestigious RHS Britain in Bloom 2026 Finals awards ceremony tomorrow.
Washington Village is one of just 10 villages from across the UK to have been named finalists in the Village category and one of just 44 finalists overall.
Two years ago, it was named Overall Winner in the Village category and while the Bloomers are hoping to emulate that success tomorrow, it’s already been a bumper year for picking up awards.
Last month they swept the board at the Northumbria in Bloom awards, winning a Gold and Best in Class in the Village category, the Best Entry in Spring award and then the Percy Boydell Award as the Best Overall Entry.
“We beat towns, botanic gardens, hotels, parks and stations from Berwick down to North Yorkshire and across into Cumbria,” Joan Atkinson, Chair of Washington Village in Bloom told Washington Way, when we visited the Bloomers at work on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago.
“And do you know why? It’s because of this, because of people here on their hands and knees every Sunday morning, working together and enjoying every moment of it.”
The Bloomers have been operating for 25 years and Joan has been a member for 22 of them. Each Sunday morning they gather in the village to work on the beds and planters, keeping the village green looking stunning all year round – and raising their own funds to do it.
“There’s probably about 18-20 of us now, quite a few of us are retired so have a bit more time but there are plenty of younger members. We’re here doing it for the community, for friendship and to make the place look and stay lovely.”
The Bloomers have been responsible for far more than just the flowers. As a group they have raised funds for and installed the Welcome to Washington Village signs, the kneeling soldier and planters across the village and they also pay for the village’s annual Christmas tree.
In the spring, they also paid £2000 for the village’s newest resident, an American Bald Eagle sculpture, which was carved by Tommy Craggs into the stump of a 200 year old beech tree which had to be felled earlier in the year.
“It’s been a very busy year for us and we’ve already done very well, clearing up at the Northumbria in Bloom Awards,” continued Joan. “The Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom awards are different. Britain in Bloom is run by the Royal Horticultural Society and you have to be invited.
“I believe there were 77 villages across the UK competing and we are down to the final 10 so we’ve got our fingers crossed.
“I think one of the things that sets us apart from many others is that we have a working village green. You get a lot of places which have a green but it’s not used, whereas here, it’s the centre of the village, we’ve got cafes, pubs, restaurants all around and it gets packed in the summer months but that’s one of the reasons we do it.
“We love making it look the best it possibly can and we’re a community. People will come down on a Sunday and ask us for cuttings in exchange for a donation and I think we’re just here for the village if they want anything. We’re not just Bloomers, we’re friends.”
The Bloomers meet every Sunday of the year and new members are always welcome. Among the newest recruits is Ryan, who joined the team almost two months ago after watching them at work for several years.
“I’ve seen them pottering around for a number of years and have watched the village get better and better and it made me want to join and be a part of this community,” he revealed.
“It’s a lot like a family. It’s very rewarding and everyone is great. I’m only just new so I can’t really take any credit for all the good work you can see now or any of the awards this year but I’d like to think in a year’s time I’ll be able to look around and know I’ve been a part. I know everyone else can and should take a lot of pride in what they’ve achieved.”
Angie Bowman and her family joined in 2020 after seeing a post on the What’s On in Washington Facebook page asking for volunteers to help plant bulbs.
“Someone was appealing for people to come and help plant the hundreds of bulbs and we came down with the children to help – and we never left.
“The kids absolutely loved it and they were desperate to keep coming so we did – and we’re still all here. It’s just a wonderful thing to be a part of and we all love it.”
The Bloomers are always keen to welcome new volunteers. Anyone interested in learning more can visit the Washington Village in Bloom Facebook group or simply turn up to Washington Village on a Sunday morning at 10am where you’ll find Joan and the team wearing blue.
