Northampton takes a Gold in East Midlands in Bloom
Northampton has won gold in this year’s East Midlands in Bloom competition – the second gold award for the borough in two years.
At a packed awards ceremony held on 15 September at Northampton Guildhall, Northampton was awarded a Gold standard in the ‘City’ category. Two East Midlands in Bloom judges visited Northampton earlier in the year to assess not just the town’s parks and civic floral displays but also plots created by schools and community groups, allotments and open spaces. Presenting the award, Jeff Bates of East Midlands in Bloom said that the judges found great enthusiasm and support for the Bloom contest in Northampton, which included large groups of people across the community who had become involved.
The judges praised the gardens at St Andrew’s hospital as “outstanding” and the work of volunteers at places like Delapre Abbey and Bradlaugh Fields. These were, they said: “just the highlights of a splendid entry” from Northampton.
Councillor Trini Crake, portfolio holder for the environment and chair of the Northampton in Bloom Committee, said: “This is fantastic, it’s great news for the town and a real tribute to all the people in schools and community groups as well as the Borough Council staff who have got involved and work so hard to make our town bloom. I hope that our success encourages even more people to get involved next year, not just in the town centre but right across the town so that we can build on this great community spirit and keep on making Northampton a better place to live.”
After the awards the judges handed over a full report on Northampton’s effort, so that the Bloom Committee can see the areas that could be improved even further next year. Northampton is also taking part in the national Britain in Bloom competition. Judges visited the town in August and will give their verdict at a national ceremony to take place in Birmingham on 29 September.
Posted by: Northampton Borough Council
