INDIVIDUALS and organisations who brightened up and improved Keighley’s surroundings have been rewarded.

They were recognised at this year’s Keighley in Bloom presentations. The event included a tombola and refreshments. Keighley in Bloom chairman and Airedale Centre manager Steve Seymour thanked members of his organising committee and everyone who entered the contest during what had been a tough year for gardeners due to the heatwave.

He said he and his colleagues need more people to come forward and help run Keighley in Bloom, which has been going for 15 years.

Karin Wojtaszewski, also on the organising committee, stressed people interested in volunteering do not need to be expert gardeners.

Among those rewarded was Keighley’s Mount Pleasant Kennels, which won gold in one of the categories. Kennels owners Alex and Sandra Robertson praised their 81-year-old gardener, Stan Neave.

Mr Robertson said: “Stan has a natural touch and he’s one of the hardest working people you can imagine.”

Results: Garden/Display/Allotment category, Best Private Garden, Large Garden, Gold – David and Carolyn Petyt, Silver Gilt – Christine Oxley, Silver Gilt – James Hanson, Silver – John Whittock, Silver – L Hibbard, Silver – Judy Hazelhurst. Best Private Garden, Small Garden, Gold – Mr and Mrs Parker, Gold – Barbara Turner, Gold – Christine Calderwood, Gold – Robert Clark, Gold – Karon Marsh, Gold – Heidi Lowe, Silver Gilt – Janice Chambers.

Best Private Container Display category, Gold – Patricia Ann Farr, Gold – Christine Oxley, Gold – Christine Calderwood, Gold – Mr and Mrs Parker, Gold – Roy Morehen, Gold – Isobel and Chris Allan, Silver Gilt – David and Carolyn Petyt, Silver – Karon Marsh, Silver – James Hanson, Silver – Barbara Turner.

Best Allotment category, Gold – Ken and Angie Cutts, Gold – W Spinks, Gold – Sunflower Allotments, Silver Gilt – David and Margaret Buckton.

Miscellaneous Garden Display, Gold – Boltmakers Arms, Gold – Ingrow West Railway Station – Gold, Mount Pleasant Kennels, Gold – Airedale Shopping Centre, Silver Gilt – Keighley Railway Station, Bronze – Bangladeshi Community Association, Bronze – Wetherspoon Keighley, Bronze – The Stockbridge Arms.

*See this Thursday's Keighley News for more pictures from the awards event