Kynren has been awarded Gold in the Conservation Projects category at this year’s Northumbria in Bloom Awards.
The announcement was made at a ceremony held at The Fed in Gateshead, where communities and organisations from across the region came together to celebrate achievements in horticulture, sustainability and environmental care.
Now in its 61st year, the competition is part of the UK-wide Britain in Bloom campaign run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Awards are judged across three areas: horticultural excellence, environmental responsibility and community participation.
Kynren was awarded Gold in each, reflecting what judges described as ‘an exceptionally high standard demonstrated throughout’ and ‘a consistent approach which demonstrates both best practice and sustainable effort.’
In their feedback, the judges highlighted the breadth of work taking place at Kynren:
‘The animals in the show live on site so this requires grazing for the horses, goats, sheep and the stars of the show the geese in my opinion.
‘The land away from the stage area is a real conservation paradise that attracts insects and bird life that use different habitats throughout the area.
‘The places where the public can wander are also nature-friendly habitats. For example, the Viking village grows non-commercial plants that attract insect and even woad to dye the costumes.
This is not only a place where wildlife exists, but wildlife is given every opportunity to flourish.’
Much of the credit for this success belongs to Mary Crosby, who has led Kynren’s gardens with dedication and imagination for many years.
Mary, a passionate advocate for pollinators, has planted thousands of insect-friendly species across the site and oversees an ever-expanding collection of bird, bat and owl boxes.
Her work has created a haven for wildlife, from bees to bats, with the team even discovering a colony of Adonis ladybirds, rarely found this far north, thriving on site.
Despite the ongoing battle with the local rabbits, Mary and her landscapers have transformed the grounds into a biodiverse landscape that supports both Kynren’s animals and its wild inhabitants.
Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren, said: “We are delighted to receive this Gold Award. It reflects the hard work and pride our teams and volunteers take in making sure the site is as inspiring by day as it is by night.
“Mary’s passion and the commitment of our gardeners have made the grounds a genuine sanctuary for both wildlife and visitors,” she added.
The award reinforces Kynren’s role not only as a major tourist attraction but also as a significant contributor to conservation and sustainability across the North East.