Congleton in Bloom celebrate Golden Awards from North West in Bloom
Volunteers from Congleton in Bloom were ‘absolutely delighted’ to pick up four awards in the North West in Bloom competition held in Southport on the 1st November, and honoured to be nominated to represent the North West in the Britain in Bloom finals next year.
The Congleton town entry was awarded gold standard. This is the 9th consecutive year which the town has received gold in the Large Town category and the 14th gold in its 21-year history. Congleton Park was awarded the 2019 Kieron Moss award for best floral displays and a gold in the small local authority park competition. This is the first time that Congleton Park has entered the local authority parks competition.
The Chair of the In Bloom group, David Brown received an Outstanding Contribution to North West in Bloom award, reflecting his 9 years of leadership and passion for the In Bloom initiative and the positive impact on a community.
Chair of Congleton In Bloom David Brown said: “This is a fabulous result for Congleton. Every year we try to improve and involve more people to make the town as clean and green as possible. These awards are the result of a lot of hard work throughout the year, but also about fun, friendships and opportunities to get involved to improve the town. I must offer particular thanks to the Congleton in Bloom volunteers, the Town Council staff, the businesses, groups and organisations for their wonderful and growing support over the years.”
Glen Williams, Chair of Friends of Congleton Park, expressed similar delight in Congleton Park receiving a gold and the Kieron Moss award adding: “Throughout the year we get many positive comments from visitors and residents about our glorious park, which in a survey of local residents 99% of people had heard about and 97% had visited. We are delighted to receive these two awards for the park and thank everyone who works so hard throughout the year to make the park a safe, attractive and interesting place to visit.”
The Town Mayor Sally Ann Holland and the Congleton Mayor Bear attended the ceremony and attracted lots of attention! She said: “It was an absolute pleasure to attend the 2019 North West In Bloom Awards in Southport and I am so proud of the In Bloom Team and all the volunteers for all their magnificent efforts. It was their incredible hard work that led to us gaining four awards and once again being nominated for the finals of the Britain In Bloom awards in 2020.
“It would be a real accolade to win Best Large Town in Britain in Bloom. We have received gold three times (2014, 2016 and 2018) and with the great supportive community that we have in Congleton it would be great if we could go one step better. We invite as many volunteers as possible to step forward to help us achieve success then we may have a chance, so dust of your gardening gloves and dig out your spade and come and get involved!”
Now, as the team starts preparing for the 2020 campaign, In Bloomer Patti Pinto said; “I would like to thank all the volunteers for the hundreds of hours that they have given to In Bloom efforts in the past year. The town looked amazing. If people have ideas for In Bloom projects that they would like to be involved in for 2020 please get in contact with a member of the In Bloom team or contact the town council.”
A celebration thank-you evening for those involved in the In Bloom efforts will be held in the Town Hall on Wednesday 13th November from 6pm – 7pm.
A report on the impressive work of the 8 It’s Your Neighbourhoods and their success at the North West in Bloom Awards to follow.
