Displays will be bigger, better and brighter than ever when Immingham and Cleethorpes fly the flag for North East Lincolnshire in Britain In Bloom.

The towns were revealed as finalists for the 2016 contest yesterday, as reported, with Cleethorpes hoping to be crowned Champion of Champions.

National judges will visit the area in August, before announcing the winners in October. Three months earlier their efforts will be judged for East Midlands In Bloom, the regional competition.  Continue reading →

For the last 18 years, Jeff Blanchard has been in the forefront and working tirelessly in the background to bring Cleethorpes into award-winning bloom status year after year.

And now the time has come for the vice-chair of the Cleethorpes In Bloom committee to hang up his ‘bloomin’ hat and devote more time to family life and visiting relatives who live far away.

Speaking from his Brereton Avenue home he shares with his wife Judy, Jeff explained: “We have family in Australia and Shanghai and we would like to the afford the time to go see them.

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Our towns are today celebrating more success in the Britain In Bloom competition.

Last night, Cleethorpes scooped Gold and were announced as the winners of the Coastal (more than 12,000) category at the RHS UK Finals Awards ceremony for 2015, hosted by TV presenter and gardening expert James Alexander-Sinclair.

Meanwhile Grimsby scooped Silver-Gilt in the small city category, while Caistor scooped Silver-Gilt in the large village category.

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COUNCIL workers have been recognised for their bloomin’ marvellous efforts.

North East Lincolnshire Council was presented with two awards from the East Midlands In Bloom judges in recognition of workers’ hard work.

The awards were presented by the Cleethorpes In Bloom team Bob Callison and Jeff Blanchard at the Pier Gardens.

The council received an award for Horticultural Excellence for the Kingsway Garden and the council’s street cleansing team were recognised for excellent maintenance of the area.