Gold for Bracknell in Bloom and South Hill Park
17th September 2015 Posted in Council News
Bracknell in Bloom is celebrating after winning a Gold medal and winning the Small City category in the Thames and Chilterns in Bloom competition, a regional round of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom campaign.
South Hill Park won a Gold medal in the Parks and Open Spaces category, and Sandy Lane Primary School won an award in the Mark Mattock Schools Challenge.
Fifteen Bracknell Forest community groups received “It’s Your Neighbourhood” awards. This campaign encourages communities and neighbourhoods to work together to improve their local environment, using gardening as a tool. Two groups, Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare in Warfield, and Wroxham Community Garden in Great Hollands, were judged to be “Outstanding” the highest award. Click here for the full list of It’s Your Neighbourhood results
The Thames and Chilterns in Bloom awards ceremony took place at Oxford Town Hall last Wednesday (16th September 2015). Mayors, dignitaries and those involved with “in Bloom” and “It’s Your Neighbourhood” attended from across the region covering Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Following the ceremony, Allan Moffat, Chair of Bracknell in Bloom and Bracknell Town Council’s Recreational Facilities Manager said: “We’re delighted that Bracknell in Bloom and local community groups have done so well in this year’s Thames and Chilterns in Bloom competition.”
“This success is down to the hard work and support from residents, schools, businesses, community volunteers and sponsors that have been involved with Bracknell in Bloom. I’d like to thank everyone that’s helped with this year’s campaign and the landscaping, parks and street cleansing teams at Bracknell Town Council, Bracknell Forest Homes and Continental Landscapes Limited, Bracknell Forest Council’s grounds maintenance and street cleansing contractor.”
Cllr Chris Turrell, Leader of Bracknell Town Council said: “’This is an excellent result, coming from the hard work of many residents and organisations working well together – truly community working. The extra gold award for South Hill Park is good news too. Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved.”
Judges visited Bracknell in July and were taken on a three hour tour of the town. They found Bracknell to be neat, tidy and smart. They were particularly impressed with the year-round high quality landscape at Arlington Square Business Park, and the ornamental planting and wildlife pond enthusiastically tended by the Beavers and Cubs at 4th Bracknell Sea Scouts in Priestwood.
The judges were pleased to see Bracknell has many areas where wildlife is encouraged to flourish, including the boardwalk at South Hill Park, and the churchyard at St Michael and St Mary Magdalene, Easthampstead.
They also commented on the high level of community and business participation. The judges were very impressed with the co-operation and integration of work between Bracknell in Bloom’s key partners: – Bracknell Town Council, Bracknell Forest Homes, Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, Bracknell Horticultural Association and The Bracknell Forest Society.