Summer Judging Update:

Our luck with the weather held yet again! Despite the disgusting weather we've had for the last few days, the rain stopped and the sun came out for the summer judging - someone up there wants us to win! I'm happy to report that the judging went very well indeed. A massive thank you to all of you who joined in this weekend, our efforts were well worth it. The village looked amazing, hardly a leaf out of place.  Several gardens have been brightened up with a splash of colour and the village green areas were absolutely perfect - thanks going mainly to Phil and Ross, well done! Shame about the two lawn mowers but you can't make a village green without breaking the odd one! And a big thank you to Simon for having the courage to lend Phil his after the first two had died, that's bravery for you!

The judges were particularly impressed by the planting that was in fitting with the countryside surroundings, the well kept lawns, the pots of bright flowers strategically placed and the wildlife garden at the village hall. They loved seeing Lewis' and Robbie's gardens and enjoyed talking to the few villagers who were around. Suggestions for improving our score next time include planting more daffodils in the spring (one village has a mile of them!) and putting wildflower seeds and small bulbs in the village hall grass. Apart from that, there was nothing the judges could think of that would improve things. Overall, I can say that we're definitely in the running for gold this year and even for best village, although we'll have to wait until September 13th to find out for certain. Fingers crossed!

Wednesday 21st July - Summer Judging:

The time has almost come for that last big push to make Great Whittington GOLD!!! The summer judging takes place on the afternoon of Wednesday 21st July. We've worked very hard throughout the year in order to make our village the best small village in Northumberland but these last few days before judging is the time to make sure that every little detail has been made perfect.

The village hall wildlife garden is coming along tremendously and we're in the process of trying to raise more funds in order to build a bird hide and education area as well as putting in water butts and nest boxes. But the village green area is where we need to concentrate our efforts over the few days left before judging. We need a team of volunteers to help tidy the grass verges and kerbs on the weekend before judging. The council road cleaner will be giving a last spruce up but the main work is for us to do. We need to make sure there are no weeds growing along the edges of the roads, the edges of the borders should be tidied up, the grass must be cut and all clippings must be composted. Not one stray weed or grass clipping should be left when the judges visit. Dead heading is also crucial all of the time but particularly just before judging. Finally, as the birds aren't part of the effort and don't take kindly to wearing nappies, the street furniture will need a last scrub on the morning of judging. So, if you'd like to help us in our efforts then any practical help you can offer will be much appreciated and might make all the difference. Every detail is important if we want to make it to gold standard so please join us.  

If anyone would like to meet the judges on judging day then we will be entertaining them after judging at the village hall garden if its a nice day and inside if it rains - you're very welcome to come along. But, even if you don't come along for tea and cakes then please say hello to the judges as they pass by your garden. Fingers crossed that this is our year!

Spring Judging Update:

The sun shone for the judging yet again - we seem to be incredibly lucky with the weather on judging days, or perhaps I shouldn't say that!

Our village always looks beautiful but today it was outstanding. Thanks so much to all of you who put in that extra bit of effort at the weekend, it was well worth it. The judges were impressed by the colourful display of spring bulbs, which looked even better under the sunshine that's been so seldom seen lately. Thanks also go to those villagers who were around today and came out to chat to the judges. Its a shame that so many of our residents are at work during judging and miss it after putting in such hard work throughout the year to keep things tidy and well planted. 

The highlights this year were the colourful but well chosen planting along the borders of the verges next to the stone walls, the little stone containers filled with spring colour and, of course, the newly started designated wildlife conservation area in the village hall garden. Our next task is to build on what we've already achieved. We intend to put compost bins in the village hall garden and a seat so that parents can sit comfortably whilst the children hunt for bugs and other wildlife to put in the bug hotel. We're also planning to start a small wildflower meadow under the trees around the bug hotel and Whittington Water. If you'd like to become involved, either by helping with the work or by donating plants, funds or any other useful material, then please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The next big date for the diary is Tuesday 20th July when the summer judging takes place. Please help us to work towards regaining Great Whittington's place as the best small village in the area.

Wed 14th April:

Clearing the verges

Its time for the spring judging! The village was out in force on the Saturday and Sunday before the spring judging for Northumbria in Bloom. Grass verges were tidied, clippings cleared up and weeds and rubbish removed from the road edges. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped get our village ready for the big day. The judges will be coming around the village on the afternoon of Wed 14th April so, if you're out in your garden when they come past, please say hello.

Spring 2010 - at last!

After the atrocious weather we had this winter, spring finally erupted with a splash of yellow and green to brighten up the darkness. Gardening has had to take a back seat for a couple of months whilst we focussed on digging ourselves out of the snow and wading through the floods but at last we've managed to get back to sorting out our village for the great push for gold in the Northumbria in Bloom competition.

March 2010:

Building the bug hotel

Almost finished!

Great Whittington now boasts a top of the range bug hotel! One rather chilly but not too wet Sunday morning in March we finally got started on our designated wildlife area at the village hall. A band of willing volunteers got together to make a bug hotel and log lodge with special areas for toads, hedgehogs, over wintering butterflies and bugs and even our very own 'Whittington Water' for the frogs and water beetles. There are now feeding stations for the birds that nest in the creepers on the stone wall and a walk way has been cut through the bushes so that the village children can explore. And this is only the start, there are many more things planned for later in the year.  Why not walk up and have a look at what's been achieved - we're always looking for more helpers and for good ideas on how we can improve our wildlife area.

Nov 2009:

Sunflower Competition Prize winners

Thursday 5th November was not only bonfire night but also the prize giving for the Sunflower Competition. The weather had been so awful this year that a lot of the sunflowers were either blown down in the gales or broken down by the rain. So that the children were not disheartened it was decided that they'd all get a prize this year. The prizes were again supplied by our sponsors The Queen's Head Inn. Hopefully next year the growing conditions will be better.  See the gallery for more photos.

Oct 2009: 

In october  we began changing the displays in the tubs and tyres. The conifers had grown during the summer so look splendid surrounded by our primulas, which also thrived at the bottom of the garden until they were needed again. The old plants were composted down, apart from those that will be saved for cuttings for next summer's displays.

July 2009:

Monday 20th July was the big day, the Northumbria in Bloom summer judging. We'd had our trials and tribulations coming up to the day what with the horrendous weather, sheep eating our display, the upturned tub, and the new massive planter having to be moved for the BBQ, but, in the end, it all worked out very well indeed. The sun came out for the judging and although rain threatened on and off, we got round without getting soaked.

It had been hard work getting everything done in time as it poured just about all the way through Saturday, soaking the grass clippings that had been left on the verges after the council mowers cut the grass earlier in the week. But thanks to a little army of helpers, the clippings were cleared, the grass re-mown neatly and the pavements swept. A big thank you has to go to all of you who helped this year, it was brilliant to see so many new volunteers working alongside our regular garden club members. Just about all of the gardens along the main street were colourful and tidy, the planting along the walls fitted in perfectly with our countryside surroundings and even the bedding in the tubs burst into bloom at the right time.  The Queen's Head baskets are beautiful this year, the yellow brightening up the village even when the sun isn't shining.

So, thanks to the community effort, we should do very well this year and if we don't get silver gilt I shall eat the display myself! The result will be out in the middle of September and will be posted on these pages and on the board at the village hall. Fingers crossed!

If you'd like to get more involved next year or if you have any suggestions for how we can improve our village, please contact:   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  we'd love to hear from you.

May 2009:

Sunday 31st May was the day of the second annual Great Whittington Plant Swap. The weather was beautiful, one of the hottest days of the year so far. Plants were swapped and bought and everyone enjoyed themselves in the summer sunshine. In addition, we made some much needed funds for the 'Make Great Whittington Silver Gilt' appeal. There will be some new planting appearing along the main street over the next few weeks. Definitely a date for the diary - looking forward to next year already!

April 2009:

Thursday 9th April was the day that the Spring judging for the Northumbria in Bloom Competition took place. Not so fortunate with the weather this year, the sun certainly didn't shine on Great Whittington as the judges made their way around the village. However, what we lacked in sunshine was more than compensated for by the brilliant displays of daffodils along the borders, around trees, on the verges and in the gardens. The planting this year far out shone that of past years. It was a lovely display and thanks go to everyone who managed to plant some extra bulbs this year.

Unfortunately we were unable to get the council mowers out this week but the volunteers who are looking after the verges did us proud. The grass looked so neat and tidy and not a stray clipping in sight. Thanks to everyone who was out mowing at the weekend, it makes such a difference.

Needless to say, the judges were highly impressed and I'm confident that all our hard work has been worthwhile. Tea and biscuits at Lisa's were the finishing touch, not to mention Lizzie's hens who put in an appearance too. So, lets keep up the effort for the summer, July will be the next date to aim for. If we can plant something colourful in our gardens, to provide a backdrop for the containers along the main street, then we'll be well on our way to increasing our points. We're also hoping to get the children together to begin work on a nature garden at the village hall, maybe create a wildflower meadow, put up some nest boxes for the birds and boxes for insects to live in over the winter. Watch these pages for more information. And, if you'd like to join in with the work then please contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

March 2009:

Sunday 29th March saw the planting for the second Great Whittington Sunflower Competition sponsored by the Queen's Head Inn. We had loads of entries and were pleased to see some new faces this year as well as children entering for the second time. Luckily it was a beautiful sunny day so we were able to fill up the pots and plant the seeds outside in the sunny village hall garden - which meant a lot less tidying up at the end of the day! Then the children went indoors to decorate their pots. There were some brilliant designs and everyone, young and old, seemed to enjoy themselves, despite getting incredably sticky. Watch the gallery for more photos.

So, now that the seeds are planted, what you need to do is to water the pot and put it on a sunny windowsill. Keep it watered while the seeds are growing then, when the weather warms up properly and all the frost has gone, your plants will be big enough to be planted outside. You can plant them in the garden or in a big pot or grow bag. Make sure you give them a stick or a wall to grow up, they'll need supporting when they get massive. And, when the flowers come out, either ring us or email on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   and we'll measure how tall they are. The prizes, donated by the Queen's Head Inn, will be presented in the autumn, last year the prize presentation was on bonfire night. Everyone will get something, and there will be special prizes for the tallest plants.

If you missed the planting, don't worry, you can still enter the competition. Just get in touch with This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  and we'll give you everything you need to get started.

Spring is at last upon us and the daffodils have burst into bloom all over the village. We can finally get out there and sort out the borders in time for the Northumbria in Bloom spring judging on April 9th. Thanks to everyone who has already started, especially the gardening club, some of whom were out weeding the village hall border this weekend. Its not quite finished but its beginning to look good, just needs the edges sharpened up so that the mower can get into it next week. There's one more weekend to go before judging and I hope we get good weather for the last tidy up. If we all get together over the weekend I'm sure we can scrape up those missing 3 points! Weeding, edging and generally tidying up is what we need to do - the bulbs will take care of themselves and are already looking splendid.  

February 2009:

Well, its been an awfully cold winter but the signs of spring are at last beginning to put in an appearance. And, with spring come two dates for your diaries.

Sunday 29th March - Children's Sunflower Competition, time to plant more seeds and win more prizes.

Sunday 31st May - The Second Great Whittington Plant Swap, time to plant more seeds and get ready to swap them for that plant you've wanted for ages but haven't quite managed to grow!

Watch these pages for more details of these two popular events. Also, we need to get out there an do some weeding, especially in the new flowerbed around the village hall. We may all have been hiding away from the cold and snow but the weeds have been extremely busy. Watch out for the date of the next gardening club event - especially if you're a weed, we're coming to get you!

November 2008:

On 5th November we all gathered at the Village Hall for the presentation of the sunflower competition prizes. All children taking part in the competition got a certificate and chocolates. Prizes for the biggest and second biggest sunflowers were awarded in both age groups, 8 years and under and 9 years and over. See more photos of the prize giving in the gallery. The prizes were donated by our sponsors The Queen's Head Inn and a big thank you goes to them. This is the first year that the competition has been run and we are very pleased with the way it went. The sunflowers were all very impressive, and every one should have been a winner. The competition will take place again next year and we're hoping to attract even more entries - so keep a look out for more information on these pages.

Winner 8 yrs and under

1st Prize 9 years and over

October 2008:

Time to change the summer flower displays.

Very full greenhouse

September 2008

Autumn is nearly upon us and its time to stop reflecting in our success from this year's competition and start working towards Northumbria in Bloom 2009. Some of the more dedicated gardeners amongst us have been out tidying borders and clearing up the dead plants and tubs and very soon we will need to make a major effort at an autumn tidy up. The village hall border is in need of some serius weeding and the tubs will need to be cleared out to make room for the spring planting. We're intending to keep quite a lot of our bedding plants this year and try to over winter then in order to make an even more spectacular display next summer. We will also be collecting seeds and, in the spring, will take cuttings from the geraniums and other summer plants. So, if you would like to become involved, whether you are a member of the gardening club or not, please keep an eye on these pages for news of activities or email us on: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   for the latest update.

July 2008: 

Monday 7th July was the big day - the summer judging for the Northumbria in Bloom competition. The weekend before it absolutely poured with rain and some of us got soaked through on several occasions whilst we put the finishing touches to the borders and verges. But, the soaking was well worthwhile as the village looked splendid when the judges made their way along the main street. It is obvious that many of you made a massive effort this year and we'd like to thank you all for joining in with us and making our village look so gorgeous. The tubs along the main street are beginning to flower and are looking good despite a couple of them being vandalised last weekend. The Queen's Head looks better than ever and the flower baskets along the walls are so impressive. The grassy areas look extremely tidy and well cared for, thanks in part to Tynedale Council who brought the mowers out in force the Friday before judging. Thanks to everyone who has agreed to take care of a part of the village green, the extra effort in these areas certainly adds to the impact.  If we could encourage people to plant thin borders along all of the walls on the main street it would look even better - please get in touch if you'd like help to do this. We get some plants donated by the local council and we have people who grow plants from seed for the displays so we may be able to help you with the planting up. You can contact us on: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   if you'd like to join in. Results will be out in September so watch these pages!

June 2008:

Sunday 7th June - the very first Great Whittington Gardening Club Annual Plant Swap. It was a beautiful sunny day for the first ever plant swap. We had many visitors, several bringing plants to swap, some that they had raised from seed and some dug up from the garden. There were all kinds of plants, garden plants, greenhouse vegetables, house plants, a brilliant selection - from the tiniest lupins to a massive confer (which has been donated to the village hall and will soon be planted up properly). We had a good chat and a laugh and hardly anyone went home empty handed - an enjoyable afternoon out was had by all. By the end of the afternoon we'd made the magnificent sum of £28. 67p for the Great Whittington in Bloom appeal. We're planning to use the money to buy some plants for the centres of the tubs along the main street. The judges last year suggested we have some permanent planting and perhaps some ivy around the edges of the tubs so that they would make more impact even if the judging is done in early summer before the flowers have reached their best. So, a big thank you to everyone who made the effort to come along and to all who donated to the appeal. We hope you enjoy your new plants and that they settle in and give many years of pleasure.

Pants donated for the swap

Choosing plants

May 2008:

Sunday 11th May saw the planting up of the new village hall flowerbed.

Planting up the flowerbed

April 2008:

Sunday 20th April saw the first step in creating a new flowerbed for the village hall. The Great Whittington Gardening Club took on their first real project when tackling the border along the outside of the wall round the village hall garden. Several volunteers turned up and we all had a good time. It was quite a cold day but once we got started on the hard work, we were all quite warm! The tea and biscuits helped too and were very welcome. There were jobs for everyone, even the children who helped by emptying the weeds onto the compost heap. The border was soon dug and edged and the bulbs re-planted so that they'd flower again next year. It was hard work but the good company made it a very enjoyable afternoon.

Digging the border

We intend to leave the bed to settle for 3 weeks then we will all meet up again on Sunday 11th May at 2pm to turn it over, add some compost and to begin the best job of all - the planting. We're putting out an appeal to all villagers who have any spare plants or cuttings that they can donate for the flowerbed. You could join us on the 11th May to help with the planting or, if you'd rather just donate some plants then please either drop them off on the day or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   and we will arrange to collect them.

Thursday 3rd April at 1.30pm saw the spring judging for the Northumbria in Bloom competition. We were very pleased with the gardens and borders this year, there has been so much effort and it has certainly paid off.  The sun was shining brightly as the judges made their way through the village, pausing to inspect the planting and to take photographs. They even took the time to visit little Lizzie's greenhouse to see her tomatoes and pansies growing and to see her raspberry canes sprouting. I think I can safely say that we all had a very enjoyable time.

The judges were extremely impressed by the magnificent display of spring colour, the daffodils looked tremendous this year. The gardens too were full of spring colour and very well presented, from the largest formal plots to the smallest gardens with their tubs of spring bulbs, it all looked brilliant. We had a lovely time walking around the village, even though the planting is fun, its good just to take the time to relax and enjoy it too. There were gardens that we'd never really noticed before, our village is full of nice surprises if you have the time to have peaceful stroll around.

So, a big thank you to everyone who made the effort and, if you enjoyed the work, why not consider joining the gardening club. We meet to tackle the village hall garden in April and I'm sure it'll be a fun day for all the family - see the events and activities page for full details or contact us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 2008:

March is the time for sowing seeds and this year its extra special as we are holding the very first Great Whittington sunflower competition for the youngsters of the village. Many of our youngsters turned up to plant sunflower seeds and to make decorated pot holders to put them in. There are two age groups, 8 years and under and 9 years and over, with stacks of prizes for each age group - although we'll have to wait for summer before we can do any judging! It was quite a cold day but we all had a great time and are looking forward to seeing the new shoots coming up in the next few weeks. See the gallery pages for more photos

Planting the sunflower seeds

Decorating the pots

February 2008:

At last we get some spring sunshine. The bulbs are beginning to show their heads above ground and there are green shoots all over the garden. Its time to start pruning back and cutting out the dead wood. This is a very good time for gathering material for the compost heap, even the Christmas tree can be mulched up and recycled.

Mulching for the compost heap

December 2007/January 2008:

This is a quiet time in the garden as the weather isn't good enough to allow us to do much. Its a time when we tend to plan the displays for next year, which seeds to grow and how to arrange our baskets and borders. Its also a time to think of the wildlife, feeding the birds to help them get through the cold winter days. Its best not to tidy the garden too much at this time of year as the dead twigs can provide shelter for insects during the winter months.

November 2007:

By November the summer bedding had to be taken out of the tubs in the main street. This old bedding went into the compost, whilst new compost was put into the tubs and they were planted up for the winter. The same was done for the borders along the walls and for the flower bed on the village green. The wallflowers should look good in the spring, and smell good too!

October 2007:

Once October arrived it was time to pull the summer bedding out of the tyres to make room for the winter bedding. It was a shame as they were still packed with flowers but it had to be done. The old bedding went into the compost heap so that nothing was wasted. It was good to have help this year! October was time for collecting seeds from plants such as marigolds, dahlias, nasturtiums etc so that we can grow new plants for next year's displays. Look out for the plant swap event early next summer when you'll be able to swap or buy new plants.

Taking out summer bedding

Alg and Bert hard at work

September 2007:

Time for Tom to harvest the vegetables from his vegetable plot, the carrots are looking good this year.

Look what I grew!