Yorkshire in Bloom: Friarwood Valley Gardens presented Gold Award
Monday, October 27, 2025
We’re congratulating the Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens, who have been awarded the Gold Award for the second consecutive year in the Yorkshire Rose Parks, Gardens and Cemeteries category of Yorkshire in Bloom.
“Our award-winning parks and green spaces are the heart of our fantastic communities. It’s great that our residents have access to beautiful spaces like Friarwood Valley Gardens where they can enjoy walks and community events. This award truly reflects the incredible work the Friends group do.”
Cllr George Ayre
Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change
Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens is a voluntary community group. They work closely with the Council to maintain and improve Pontefract's Valley Gardens, a Grade 2 listed park close to the town centre.
Improvements in the park include the new archways at the entrances and the new engraved liquorice poem panel.
Judges from Yorkshire in Bloom were impressed by the “well-manicured lawns”, “impressive tree sculptures” and the “extensive rose gardens”. They also praised the “impressive” play options for children, which offer “opportunities for all ages”.
They also acknowledged the community events held by the group, which help bring the local community together and provide an enjoyable day for residents. Events previously held include the Easter Egg hunt, Yorkshire Day gala and Friarwood Festival.
The judges shared that the gardens are “a wonderful green space only minutes away from the town centre which offers a peaceful and usable space in equal measures”.
Colin, a member of Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens, said: “We are very happy to have received the prestigious gold award from Yorkshire in Bloom for the second successive year. It is an acknowledgement of all the hard work that we put in throughout the year to ensure that Valley Gardens is Pontefract's hidden gem.”
From cutting grass, planting bulbs and pruning trees, to emptying the bins and picking up litter, our staff and volunteers from incredible local Friends Groups work hard every day to make sure the district’s green spaces continue to be kept to the highest standards, well maintained, and provide excellent facilities.
Yorkshire in Bloom is a voluntary regional organisation that oversees the RHS Britain in Bloom Campaign. It encourages groups of any size to make improvements to local environments for the benefit of its local people.