SCHOOLS, pubs, villages and residents have been honoured for their efforts in making their area a pleasant place to live and work.

Dozens of winners were crowned at last night’s (Wednesday, October 1) Beautiful Durham awards ceremony, held at Durham Town Hall.

The awards, held every year, seek to recognise the work of organisations and individuals to brighten up the Durham City area.

Brandon emerged as the big winner on the night, with Brandon Village community garden scooping the prizes for the best group horticultural project and the best entry overall, June Corker from Brandon picking up a special contribution award and The Orchards care home awarded the prize for the best floral containers.

Sunderland Bridge bettered its feat of picking up two prizes last year, scooping 2014’s best kept residential area and best small village awards along with a special prize for long-term contribution to the local/civic amenity for its Village in Bloom team.

The awards were presented by Councillor John Robinson, chairman of Durham County Council and Mayor of Durham.

He said: “Residents and businesses have once again been showcasing their fine floral displays and the ways in which they have helped enhance their surroundings.

“Their efforts have made it a fantastic year for floral achievements in the Durham City area and it has been a pleasure to hand out the awards and thank all those who took part in the competition and sponsored the event.”

The event is organised by Durham County Council.

Judging took place in July and the work bolstered Durham City’s entry into Northumbria in Bloom, in which it won the best town award, and Britain in Bloom, the winners of which will be announced on Thursday, October 16.

Oliver Sherratt, the council’s head of direct services, said: “We have seen some really inspiring efforts in what is an extra special year because the entries counted towards Durham’s success in the regional Northumbria in Bloom competition and as a finalist in the national Britain in Bloom campaign.”

THE WINNERS OF BEAUTIFUL DURHAM

Best school
Durham Gilesgate Primary

Best business premises
The Court Inn, Durham

Best group horticultural project
Brandon Village community garden

Best sheltered accommodation/warden controlled housing
Camsell Court, Durham Moor

Best kept residential area
Sunderland Bridge

Best floral containers
The Orchards Extra Care, Brandon

Best house garden (small)
Embleton brothers, West Rainton

Best house garden (medium)
Margaret Hands, Framwellgate Moor

Best house garden (large)
Fred and Bonny Bainbridge, Brancepeth

Best back yard or patio garden
Diane McQuillan, Esh Winning

Best allotment or kitchen garden
Diana Snowdon, Waterhouses

Best small village (population up to 500)
Sunderland Bridge

Best village (population 500 to 2,000)
High Shincliffe

For a special contribution by a competitor in any of the competition categories
June Corker, Brandon

For a long-term contribution to the local/civic amenity by a local resident or development
Sunderland Bridge Village in Bloom

For the best new entry in the competition
Old Durham Gardens

For a special contribution to sustainable development
Anita Sutton and Angela Lee

For the best overall entry in the competition
Brandon Village community garden