Sheffield Forgemasters flora floors judges

Sheffield Forgemasters has taken top honours in the Yorkshire in Bloom 2014 awards.

The company was awarded a gold award and named category winner in the large business premises category.

Sheffield Forgemasters has planted more than 6,500 sq ft of native British trees, shrubs and plants along with more exotic varieties to brighten its 64 acre Brightside Lane site and encourage more wildlife to the area.

Vicky Hinchcliffe, group environment director, said: “We owe a huge thanks to our gardeners and everyone who has worked towards the Yorkshire in Bloom competition. It is a great honour to win both gold and the category against some strong competition.

“Sheffield Forgemasters is a historic industrial site and we have created many interesting spaces across the 64 acres to plant wide varieties of plants and shrubs. The planting programme also helps to screen some of the work plant.

“Staff across the site take real pleasure in spending time in the planted areas during break times and it gives everyone here a sense of pride in the company.”

Judges for the Yorkshire in Bloom competition said: “Set in the heart of industrial Sheffield, this site was a total surprise. Both management and staff are to be commended in creating what is an oasis and green lung in an industrial landscape.

“From arriving at reception to touring both sites there were surprises round every corner. Colourful and exceptionally well maintained formal displays a round the main reception areas enhanced with interesting sculptures created by the company’s apprentices.”