Holywell family's joy at bloom award

Staff at Tree Tops Caravan Park in North Wales have been congratulated by the business's family owners after scooping a top accolade in this year's Wales in Bloom awards.

The green-fingered team at the Gwespyr-based holiday park near Holywell won the overall gold title in the holiday park category of this year's closely-fought contest.

Stepping up to receive the trophy at September's glittering awards ceremony at Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey was Tree Tops' head gardener Hazel Sambrooks.

Hazel, who has worked at the park for three years, leads the team which this year planted almost 16,000 flowers, shrubs and trees in the 18-acre grounds.

Each was raised in Tree Tops' own nursery, and is chosen not just for its colour but also the nectar foraging benefits brought to butterflies, honey bees and other pollinators.

The Wales in Bloom awards were put on ice last year during the lockdowns, and park director Andrew Walker said it was fantastic to be part of their triumphant return:

"We won our first award in the contest just over a quarter-century ago, and have featured among the winners in every subsequent year since then," he said.

"It's important to us not just to put on an amazing display for our guests, but also to bring environmental and wildlife gains to this beautiful part of North Wales.

""As we’re open for nine months of the year, we plant for the seasons with an array of spring flowers before moving on to a riot of summer colour which carries on into autumn.

"All this requires detailed planning, plus the hard work and horticultural skills of our dedicated team whose ideas we quite literally see blossom as the months roll on.

"But nothing stands still in gardening, and we are already planning and propagating in readiness for our entry into the 2022 championships!" added Andrew.

Tree Tops has won a number of accolades for its care of the natural world, including the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

Andrew says everyone enjoys finding new challenges to take on, and last year his team propagated scores of oak trees from fallen acorns which were given away to customers.

Holding a five-star grading from Visit Wales and providing spectacular views over the surrounding countryside, Tree Tops is run by Andrew alongside his parents Maureen and Harry.

"We've enjoyed our busiest ever summer this year, and its marvellous to finish it on a real high with this Wales in Bloom award so richly deserved by our team!" he said.

There is more information about Tree Tops on its website at www.treetopscaravanpark.co.uk