There was a ‘full house’ of around 50 parishioners and friends who attended a most successful Celebration Evening’ arranged by the Parish Council in the Jubilee Hall on Tuesday 2 October 2018, celebrating all that is best about living in our delightful village. The event was hosted by Parish Council Chairman Peter M Eardley JP who after welcoming everyone introduced a member of Adderley Parish Council to speak on the proposed Neighbourhood Plan of the three parishes of Adderley, Moreton Say and Norton in Hales. This was a short but most interesting overview of the need for a Neighbourhood Plan to cover our three parishes. Chairman Peter then introduced the main event and speaker, Ann Holland, Chairman of the Norton in Bloom Group and Royal Horticultural Society Judge, in her capacity of ‘Best Front Garden Competition 2018’ judge and guest speaker. Illustrated by excellent coloured slides Ann described her experiences as a ‘first time’ RHS judge in Durham, Alston and Rochdale, and spoke enthusiastically of the wonderful floral displays she and her fellow judges found in those North of England locations. After this Ann announced the awards for the Norton in Hales Parish Council Best Front Garden competition 2018 in ascending order as follows :-
First Prize & Silver Cup – 46 Main Road. Mr and Mrs Stephen Bailey
Second Prize – Yew Tree House, Bearstone Road. Mr and Mrs Arthur Tresadern
Third Prize – ‘Ashville’, Main Road. Mr and Mrs David Rigby
Highly Commended
Talbot House, Main Road. Mrs Kate Chambers
Orchard Cottage, Main Road. Mr and Mrs Jeffrey Rutter
4 Church Meadow. Mr and Mrs James Morris
Commended
Lavender Cottage, Church Walks. Mr and Mrs James Blackburn
North Lodge, Bearstone Road. Mr and Mrs John Mayer
16 Pear Tree Croft.
At a ceremony in Burton on Trent on 20 September 2018, Norton in Hales was awarded Gold and Village Category Winners in the RHS Heart of England in Bloom Competition 2018 and it was announced that our long-time Norton in Bloom secretary, Malcolm McDonald, had been given a “Discretionary Award” for services to the Heart of England in Bloom. Ann Holland presented this deserved award to Malcolm which was warmly applauded by those present. After and excellent buffet supper the raffle prizes were drawn to round off a splendid and enjoyable event.
Here are some photos of the event