Wharfedale communities and businesses may not have won Yorkshire in Bloom classes, but they brought home an array of awards.

Sought-after gold awards were won by the village of Addingham, Ilkley’s Box Tree Restaurant, and Abbeydale Residential Home in Ilkley.

The two judges who visited Addingham in July praised the “colourful and sustainable” public gardens, the well-managed allotments, the “delightful” Marchup Ghyll nature reserve, the impressive gardening group at Addingham Primary School, the interesting Church Orchard, the colourful planters at the Fleece, the well-maintained gardens in the private residential development of High House Mews, and the absence of litter and graffiti.

They also commented on the pride shown in Addingham by people they met.

The public gardens in Addingham are maintained by the volunteer group, Addingham Garden Friends, with support from Bradford Council and financial help from village organisations.

Ilkley did not repeat successes of other years, however, being given a silver award in the Town category, while all other towns in the category gained silver gilt or gold awards. Near neighbour Otley gained a silver gilt, while the overall category winner was Todmorden.

Judges praised the garden at Ilkley Police Station and the many local authority flowerbeds and hanging baskets. But they suggested Ilkley in Bloom should engage more with local businesses and increase their participation.

In the Large Business Premises section, the International Development Centre on Valley Drive, Ilkley, received a silver award.

Participating in the same Small Town category as Addingham, Menston gained a silver award. The judges highlighted the revamp of Butterfield Park, railway footpath and gyratory, and the High Royds Memorial Garden and Chapel – which they described as a “delight and haven of peace”.

The visit by the judges was followed by a National Heritage Weekend which attracted many visitors to the Garden, which had recently been refurbished with the help of a North of England Horticultural Society grant and local volunteers.