Yorkshire in Bloom is a competition that is run within Yorkshire by the Royal Horticultural Society. It is for communities, community facilities (such as parks), charitable organisations, businesses and tourist attraction, and encourages them to make a positive and lasting improvement to their local environment for the benefit of local people. It is not just about planting flowers and hanging baskets, but also seeks to encourage more general environmental awareness. Entries are assessed by local judges, and are awarded either Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze standards.
The Middleton Railway comes in the category for Tourist Attractions, and in 2022 we won a Gold Award, as we did in 2019 and 2018. The competition did not run in 2020 or 2021, as the corona virus pandemic meant that judging could not be organised.
Here is some of what the judges said about the railway in 2022. "Indoor and outdoor accessible areas were maintained to a high standard". "All planted areas were of a high standard ... with obvious thought & consideration had gone into the selection of plants". "The volunteers clearly cared for the railway and their pride shone throughout … from the spotlessly clean Engine House & all the local history information to the immaculately kept engines & exhibits in the museum".
Charles, our chairman, in the presentation of the results for 2022.
2019
The flower display outside the entrance to the Engine House, in September 2019. Note the "MRT" picked out in white bricks, in traditional railway fashion (but partly hidden by the flowers).
Picture © Tony Cowling, 2019
In 2019 the judges had obviously enjoyed the whole of their visit, as they said "What an experience this was, the passion of the team is absolutely infectious. the history and heritage is wonderful. Well organised, fantastic interpretation.". For the floral displays themselves they said "The planting around the station is wonderful, well cared for and all adds to the overall experience.". They particularly liked the newly planted area in front of the entrance to the Engine House, and the fact that we had implemented the suggestions that they had made in 2018.
Unfortunately, Mike, our gardener, was not able to attend the awards ceremony for 2019. So Ian Smith, as our Vice President, represented him, and is seen here with our award certificate at the awards ceremony at York Racecourse on 10th September 2019.
Picture © Yorkshire in Bloom, 2019
But here is Mike, in a characteristic pose, watering some of the flower displays on our platform in mid-August 2018.
Picture © Ian Smith, 2018
2018
One of the flower displays on the platform, at the beginning of May 2018.
Picture © Ian Dobson, 2018
2018 was the first time that we had entered the competition, and the judging was due to take place only two days after the setback caused by the fire at a neighbouring builder's merchants. Fortunately the judges made allowances for this, and in particular they said "The platform is the WOW factor to this entry, filled with colourful planters and hanging baskets. The planters have been made by a local school and are of a good quality and have been looked after year on year. The platform fencing is well kept and in keeping as is the fencing on the boundary..". They also made some useful suggestions for how we might improve things further.
Mike, our gardener, with our award certificate at the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in September 2018.
More Information
Other pages provide more information about:
- other attractions as part of a visit to our railway;
- how to find our railway;
- our train services;
- highlights of our museum collection;
- railway-themed DVDs and videos (including ones of events that we have run);
- railway-themed books (including the railway's history and stock list);
- the book "Bert's Tales of Middleton";
- other kinds of souvenirs;
- our museum collection;
- our portfolio of development projects; and
- how you could get involved.