The Norwich in Bloom schools competition awards are presented by Lord Mayor Cllr Ralph Gayton during a ceremony at the Assembly House. Best School Wildlife Garden, Ormiston Victory Academy. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY

People of all ages championing horticultural excellence in the city have been honoured for their achievements.

The Friends of Norwich in Bloom hosted an awards night at the city’s Assembly House to say a big well done to the winners of the Friends’ annual summer and schools competitions yesterday.

In the schools competition awards, which were presented by the city’s Lord Mayor Ralph Gayton, the overall winner was Magdalen Gates Preschool which also won best school scarecrow, best school project and diary, best school project 4-11, and the daffodil competition. North City Children’s Centre was named best newcomer. In the summer competition awards, which were presented by the Sheriff of Norwich John Jennings, the overall winner was Brian Smith, of Watling Road, Heartsease, for his allotments on the Cottage Farm Allotments in Plumstead Road East, Norwich. He also won best organic allotment and the super award category.

Julie Brociek-Coulton, competition organiser for the Friends, said: “We have had over 22 schools come into the schools competition this year and about 60 people come on board for the summer competition, several of them being for the first time. Norwich has such a wealth of people who care about our city, and so many of them unknown groups. The Friends of Norwich in Bloom hope that we highlight these fantastic groups and the work they have been involved in for many years, and to recognise them raise their profile.”

She paid tribute to all the volunteers and businesses that have supported the Norwich in Bloom campaign in its very successful 25th anniversary year. Norwich won best city and five other accolades in the 2012 Anglia in Bloom awards, and a silver gilt in the Britain in Bloom city category. The city has also been invited to enter the international Entente Florale competition. For more pictures from the awards visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk

• Do you know somebody celebrating a great achievement? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk

Summer Competition awards

Overall winner: Brian Smith, of Cottage Farm Allotments, Plumstead Road East

• Diamond Jubilee Celebration Garden

1st Gillian Martins, of Romany Road

2nd Murderers Public House

3rd Heather Page

• Olympic Celebration Garden

1st Gillian Martins, of Romany Road.

2nd Caroline House

3rd Silver Haven

• Floral Commercial Premises

1st Annesley Hotel, in Newmarket Road

2nd Marks and Spencer

3rd Kentucky Fried Chicken

• Floral Public House

1st The Plough, in St Benedict’s Street.

2nd Whalebone Public House

3rd Murderers Public House

• Sheltered Housing Scheme

1st Silver Haven, in Silver Road

2nd Rowland Court

3rd Ryrie Court

• Floral Displays in Containers

1st Kerry Annison, of Devonshire Street.

2nd Gillian Martins

3rd Heather Page

• Floral Gardens of Any Size

1st Yvonne Baldwin, of St James Close.

2nd Mind

3rd Janet Batch

• Floral Street

1st The Elms, off Unthank Road.

2nd Clyfe Cottages Bracondale

• Cottage Garden

1st Mind, Sale Road

2nd Jane Pratt

3rd Heather Page

• Exotic Mediterranean Garden

1st Janette Macmillan and Oliver Chastney, of Lowes Yard.

2nd Gillian Martins

• Best Allotment Newcomer

1st Mark Broughton, of Mousehold South Allotments.

2nd Mind

• Best Allotment

1st Ian and Linda Dabson of Bluebell Allotments.

2nd Charles White

3rd Trevor Marrison

• Best Organic Allotment

1st Brian Smith, of Cottage Farm Allotments, Plumstead Road East

2nd Kerry Annison

3rd Jane Pratt

• Best Kept Churchyard

1st Silver Road Baptist Church

• Best All Year Round Garden

1st Mr and Mrs Sewell, of Unthank Road

2nd Heather Page

3rd Janette Macmillan and Oliver Chastney

• Best Waterwise

Caroline House, in Unthank Road

• Super Award

Brian Smith, of Cottage Farm Allotments, Plumstead Road East