[T]he Royal Hotel is celebrating a hat trick of success in the annual Kirkby Lonsdale In Bloom awards.
The venue has followed up two consecutive victories in the best commercial property category with this year’s Judge’s Special Award, recognising the contribution the business has made to the appearance of the town.
General manager Damian Atkins and the gardening team, brothers Pete and Chris Bristol, were delighted with the accolade, earned with the hotel’s year-round displays of hanging baskets and planters.
The gardening duo are responsible for creating the baskets which, for spring and summer, are surfinia and begonias as they both have an abundance of leaves and flowers.
Said Pete: “This simple combination with white flowers gives a spectacular but classic basket with lots of impact. These plants don’t mind shady and damp conditions which with our weather has to be a consideration!
“However, the wind dries them out so daily attention is a must and this is where Damian and the Royal team come in. Once they’re hung we only come to check on them once a month. It’s over to Damian to water daily, dead head and give them a fortnightly liquid feed.”
The spring/summer baskets are planted up at the beginning of May and spend the first month in the greenhouse, then they’re hung in time for the last bank holiday in May. If they are suitably cared for, they will last through to the first frost, which is typically October.
The autumn/winter baskets feature heathers, ivy, pansies, evergreens and attractive shrubs, which all successfully survive the frost, wind and rain.
Pete and Chris paid tribute to Damian and his team for their Kirkby Lonsdale In Bloom success.
Said Pete: “Without their daily attention there wouldn’t be the fabulous display for which the Royal has become well known.”
The Royal Hotel is part of the James’ Places portfolio of hotels, inns, interior design and hospitality businesses across the Ribble Valley and Yorkshire Dales sharing the same service values and ethos.
