Bloomin’ marvellous: Campus strikes gold with award
An edible campus, beehives and wooded areas helped clinch gold for the University of Bradford at this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom.
The gardening team secured the prestigious prize in Yorkshire in Bloom 2025’s Universities, Colleges and Further Education (FE) Establishments category, moving up from the Silver Gilt prize in 2024. They were also named joint category winner.
Yorkshire in Bloom judges, who visited campus in July, said: “The horticultural team at the University of Bradford are embracing sustainability in their planting schemes. There is a wide and varied variety of plants.”
Simon Padgett, Head Gardener at the University of Bradford, said: “Winning gold and joint category winner is a huge achievement for me and my team.
“A lot of work goes into keeping the campus looking good throughout the year and it’s great the judges recognised our hard work and dedication.”
The University of Bradford horticultural team: Back row (from left): Colin Robinson, Paul Roper and Peter Winn; front row, from left: Simon Padgett and Finnley Kaney. Images credit: University of Bradford
What the judges said
The University’s ‘edible campus’, including a wide variety of fruit trees, was also praised, as were its rewilding areas.
Its apiary featuring four beehives was praised, with a tutor working with students to care for the bees.
The judges said: “The wooded area is a delight to walk around, leading to one of the three ponds which can be found around the campus.
“The outdoor seating areas have been thoughtfully planned and planted.”
A sapling grown from the seed of a ginkgo tree that survived the Hiroshima bomb, planted in the University’s Peace Garden in June 2024, was also highlighted.
The wooded area on campus which was praised by Yorkshire in Bloom judges. Images credit: University of Bradford
More on Yorkshire in Bloom
Yorkshire in Bloom is a charity which is the regional body representing Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom, organising its campaign across North, South, East and West Yorkshire.
The charity holds annual competitions to encourage communities to make a positive and lasting improvement to their environment to benefit everyone.
Judge’s marks are awarded in standards of Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver and Bronze.
The special categories judged during the summer months include business premises, visitor attractions, charities, railway stations and transport hubs and parks, gardens, cemeteries and public buildings.
‘Campus never looked as good’
Samantha Townsend, Building Maintenance Manager at the University of Bradford, said: “I am really proud that our grounds team have achieved this Gold Award for Yorkshire in Bloom.
“They are only a small team, working on a large campus, and their hard work and resilience deserves to be recognised.
“Many people have commented that the campus has never looked as good.”
A sapling grown from the seed of a ginkgo tree that survived the Hiroshima bomb which was planted in the University’s Peace Garden. Images credit: University of Bradford