A dedicated team of volunteers has welcomed the RHS Britain in Bloom judges to Washington Village, as the community represents the region in this yearβs national competition.
Washington Village is going head-to-head with nine others across the UK in the Best Village category of Britain in Bloom, representing the North East area from Berwick to North Yorkshire and across to the Cumbria border.
Washington has had previous success in the competition, picking up the Best Village award in 2024 and being named overall winner in Northumbria in Bloom in both 2021 and 2025.
A team of 20 volunteers welcomed the judges today (Monday 3 August) as they toured the village and inspected the floral displays. They were also judging the village for community involvement and environmental responsibility.
The volunteers have worked tirelessly on planting, weeding and maintaining the flower beds and plants, alongside Environmental Services Officers from Sunderland City Council, and some extra volunteers from Barclayβs Bank.
Joan Atkinson, Chair of Washington in Bloom, said:
We are incredibly proud to be representing the North East in this year's Britain in Bloom competition. This achievement is down to the dedication of our volunteers and the fantastic support we receive from local people and businesses, as well as partner organisations. The competition is about much more than making our village look beautiful, it is also about community spirit, environmental responsibility and creating a place we can all feel proud to call home.
Representatives from the organisations who have helped prepare the village also attended the celebration this morning to welcome the judges.
Councillor Ciera Hudspith, Sunderland City Councilβs Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Heritage, said:
Washington Village is looking beautiful this summer thanks to the efforts of everyone who comes together to work on planting, weeding, street cleaning and looking after the streets and green spaces.
βBeing listed as one of only ten villages nominated in Britain in Bloom is an absolutely fantastic achievement and I want to wish Washington in Bloom the very best of luck for the judging.
Washington Village will find out if it has been successful when the winners of each category of the Britain in Bloom awards are announced at an awards ceremony at the RHS headquarters in London in the autumn.
