Golden Success for Bracknell Parks
26th September 2016 Posted in Community News, Council News
Two Bracknell parks scooped gold awards from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) earlier this month.
Jocks Lane Park and South Hill Park won gold awards in the Parks and Open Spaces category of the Thames and Chilterns in Bloom campaign, a regional round of RHS Britain in Bloom.
South Hill Park was also awarded an RHS National Certificate of Distinction. This award is given to only a few groups across Britain each year, making it a tremendous achievement for everyone involved with the park.
In July, Thames and Chilterns in Bloom judges Kate Dagnall and Pete Thompson visited Bracknell Town Council’s Jocks Lane Park and the grounds at South Hill Park, managed in partnership between Bracknell Forest Council and Bracknell Town Council.
At Jocks Lane Park, the judges were impressed with the extensive range of facilities available, including the refurbished tennis courts and the wide variety of children’s play equipment. They were also impressed with the beautiful hanging baskets on display around the park. These were made at workshops organised by Bracknell in Bloom to encourage residents to have a go at gardening.
Both judges were pleased to see how well South Hill Park has developed after the completion of the restoration works funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund. They were extremely impressed with the seamless inter-authority working between Bracknell Forest Council and Bracknell Town Council, which results in the park being a stunning, clean, green space for everyone to enjoy.
Cllr Iain McCracken, Bracknell Forest Council’s executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: “I’m delighted that the Thames and Chilterns in Bloom judges have officially recognised Jocks Lane Park and South Hill Park as gold standard parks.”
“We’re very lucky to have such a fantastic array of parks and open spaces in the borough for all our residents to enjoy.”
Fifteen Bracknell Forest community groups received Thames and Chilterns in Bloom “It’s Your Neighbourhood” awards. This campaign encourages communities and neighbourhoods to work together to improve their local environment, using gardening as a tool. Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare (JHCL) in Warfield and Warfield Grow and Share based at JHCL site received “Outstanding” awards, the highest IYN award.
Allan Moffat, chair of Bracknell in Bloom and Bracknell Town Council’s recreational facilities manager said: “I’m thrilled that so many Bracknell Forest community groups took part in It’s Your Neighbourhood and did so well.”
“I hope their success encourages more community groups to enter next year’s campaign and get involved with Bracknell in Bloom.”