Our region’s in Bloom campaigners triumph at awards ceremony

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Sue Hacon (left) presents Norwich with the cities category. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Anglia in Bloom held its annual awards at Gorleston's seaside Ocean Room after months of deliberation for the judges and hard work for the entrants.

Gold awards were presented in record numbers this year, with 50 different entrants achieving the highest merits, with a number of the overall winners hailing from Norfolk and Waveney.

Lowestoft took the silver gilt prize for the coastal category. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

One of the biggest success stories of the awards was Filby, near Great Yarmouth, which claimed the overall best village nod.

The village's Filby Bridge restaurant also claimed the best restaurant award, while there were special awards for Adrian Thompson and Filby School's clay pits project.

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. George Dawson (centre) presents the Bid award to Norwich Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Mr Thompson, 52, who was one of the winners of the Mike Ames Award for long standing dedication, said: 'This year was such a joint effort from everyone involved in Filby. I think the school in particular really came up trumps.

'The biggest satisfaction from me though is hearing from people who pass through the village saying it really makes their day.'

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Woburn, Best new entrant. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Norwich In Bloom also enjoyed another successful ceremony, picking up the best city prize, among a host of other recognitions.

Reg and Jo Chiddock, who have been involved in Norwich in Bloom for more than 30 years, were also recognised with a Mike Ames Award.

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Scarlett Furby with Adrian Thompson from Filby who won the best Village award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Mrs Chiddock, of Aylsham Road, said: 'It is such an honour to have been recognised in this way. We both take great pride in St Stephen's Churchyard where we help out and it is something we both really enjoy and fills people with lots of pleasure.'

King's Lynn, Hunstanton, Lowestoft, Halesworth and Wisbech were also among the successes.

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Coggeshall, winners of the most Consistently improved entrant. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Anglia in Bloom chairman Bob Ollier said: 'Judging is always a big task, but particularly given that this year we awarded 50 golds. Each year people put so much into their entries, and learn tips from previous year, so the quality keeps on growing.

'Each year we look for attention to detail and a real wow factor, which is what we have seen in abundance this year.'

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

To see the full list of this year's winners, visit www.edp24.co.uk

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Reg and Jo Chiddick from Norwich were awarded the Mike Ames award 2017. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Waterlees,winners of a Silver Gilt in the Urban Communities category. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Yarmouth.. Coastal category Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Julia Smith (left) presents Hunstanton with the coastal category Gold award. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Anglia in Bloom 2017 awards presentation at The Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. Bury St Edmunds, winners of the Best overall entrant. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)