Keighley is now the holder of three prestigious awards after gaining high marks in this year's Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

The town was voted:

joint winner for the Most Improved in Large Towns

third in the Ilam Town Centre Award category

fourth in the Large Town category.

In addition, Airedale Hospital came 18th and Keighley Health Centre 24th in the Public, Private & Charitable Establishments section.

The presentation of the awards took place on Tuesday at Leeds City Hall.

Cllr Barry Thorne, chairman of Keighley Town centre management group and Bradford council's leisure services which looks after floral displays, is delighted. He says: "This is brilliant news because it means we've now won two oscars in one year. The last oscar award we won was in April for being the best town centre management group in Britain, given during this year's Property Awards.

"Bearing in mind the summer we've had this year, there should be congratulations all round. Next year we want to do even more, so we're not going to sit back now. Having good Christmas lights and flowers is uplifting for everyone and the town centre definitely looks a lot cleaner because people have taken an interest. I'm dead chuffed."

Judges of the Ilam Town Centre Award said of Keighley: "The local authority and private business sector are to be commended on their enthusiasm, and for increasing public awareness of the importance of enhancing the town. The work of the town centre manager (Sandra Parnham) and her staff has generated a great deal of interest in the competition."

In the large town category, Cliffe Castle Gardens and East Riddlesden Hall were given special mention, as was Woodville Horticultural Centre's involvement in the provision of hanging baskets and work within the town centre.

Airedale Hospital was praised as being a 'well planned, creative area with good use of colour and design'. And Keighley Health Centre was said by the judges to be 'clean, tidy and well maintained'.

For this year's competition, a new partnership was set up between the town centre management group and local businesses and shops. Sponsorships were also established to help provide better flowers.

Frank Robinson, chairman of Yorkshire in Bloom, says: "Many of our judges this summer conducted their tasks under large umbrellas, and it was a trying time too for the entrants coping with cool winds, lack of sun and wet conditions. The floral standards, however, remained high."

Meanwhile, Dales Bank Holiday Homes, of Silsden, was placed 9th in the Yorkshire Tourist Board Award D (Caravan, Camping & Chalet Parks) category.

Patrons of the competition were Nestle UK, Yorkshire Television, Yorkshire Tourist Board and Yorkshire Water.

Opinion, page 10

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