Allensmore Nurseries Limited are the Winner of ‘The Best Festive Wreath’ competition for 2014.
The competition is organised by ‘The British Christmas Tree Growers Association’ and as a result Allensmore will supply this year’s wreath to the front door of Number 10 Downing Street.
Allensmore Nurseries produce in excess of 100,000 wreaths from their nursery in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley for retailers throughout the UK.
Brian Taylor, the Chairman of Allensmore Nurseries said "it was an honour to have been selected from the many British wreath suppliers who entered this year."
Here are the rest of the BCTGA Awards results:
DOUBLE WIN FOR HEREFORD IN CHRISTMAS TREE CONTEST
It’s a double victory for the county of Hereford, after two Christmas Tree growers picked up top prizes in the British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association’s annual competition.
Results were declared today at the event in Oxfordshire, confirming who from the Association’s large membership of growers will get to present a Christmas Tree to Downing Street for the festive season.
Colin Griffith, of Dinmore Hill Christmas Trees in Wellington, Hereford, was announced as the winner of the Champion Tree category.
A tree from his farm will now take pride of place outside Number 10 from the first week of December.
Meanwhile, in the Champion Wreath category, Brian Taylor – of Allensmore Nurseries in Hereford – was awarded top prize.
Over 100 growers took part in this year’s national competition, with prizes awarded by John Howell, Conservative MP for Henley.
The event saw hopeful contenders – who span in age from 18 to 80 – come together to showcase their trees to expert growers, and be judged by fellow members.
Each farmer, who will have spent around 10 years nurturing the tree to full ‘competition’ height, is able to enter categories including Best Nordman, Best Other Fir, Best Pine, Best Norway Spruce, Best Other Spruce, Best Container Grown, and Best Festive Wreath.
Finalists were permitted to submit only one tree into each category, and trees entered must be commercially cultivated and be 1.8 metres ( +/- 400mms) high from base to tip. Each is judged for foliage, colour, shape and marketability.
Following the verdict from the prestigious competition day, the winning grower supplies Downing Street’s 20 ft Christmas tree, while the winner of the wreath category creates a wreath to hang at the front door of Number 10.
Runner up of the Champion Tree category – which this year went to Swansea grower Rob Morgan, of Gower Fresh Christmas Trees – is then asked to provide the tree for INSIDE Number 10. It will be placed in the Pillared Room for the season.
Harry Brightwell, secretary of the British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, said: “We were thrilled with the standard of entries this year, and with the huge effort put in by such a large number of growers.
“The competition is taken very seriously by all members and the winners deserve huge applause for their achievement.”
He added: “We view the contest as a chance to recognise what incredible year-round work goes into being a Christmas tree farmer. Now we simply encourage all homeowners to consider a British grown tree for their seasonal celebrations this year.”