Bury wins gold and best in category at 2015 Britain in Bloom awards

Bury scooped gold and was announced as the overall winner of the Small City category at this year’s national RHS Britain in Bloom finals held in Sunderland on Friday 15 October.

Bury was nominated to represent the North West in this year’s national contest on the back of 11 years of consecutive success in North West in Bloom. This was the sixth time Bury has been entered into Britain in Bloom and the first time the town has been declared the out-and-out winner of its category.

More than 1,000 ‘bloom’ groups from across Britain were vying for the coveted awards. Of these, just 70 finalists were chosen to represent their region in the UK finals, with Bury representing the North West.

To scoop the title of best small city in Britain, Bury beat off stiff competition from Colchester, Derry City, Grimsby and Weston Super Mare.

This national announcement precedes the results of the regional North West in Bloom awards which are due to be announced in Southport on Friday 30 October 2015.

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said: “I’m incredibly proud of Bury’s success over the last decade and more, and these results in this year’s Britain in Bloom are the icing on the cake. The Bury in Bloom campaign is a fantastic team effort across the council, community groups, hands-on volunteers, schools and businesses – each year they all pulltogether to do their bit to improve Bury for all to enjoy.

“We know the quality of the environment in Bury is important to everyone everywhere and in Bury we’re pleased to receive comments from people expressing their appreciation – ‘I wish we had the standard of parks that residents in Bury enjoy’, ‘We’ve lived here over 38 years and each year Bury gets better and better, this year is absolutely stunning’ and ‘The displays make the town stand out above other towns’ are just a few of them.

“Well done Bury and everyone involved in keeping Bury blooming at its best.”

Britain in Bloom judges commented on Bury’s entry saying:

“Upon entering Bury there is no doubt that this is a ‘bloom’ entry. The high impact of the imaginative horticultural displays celebrating local heritage and other events are most eye-catching. The town has a strong history of involvement in ‘bloom’ and it’s most pleasing to see this reputation being maintained. The approach to partnership working with voluntary groups and other organisations, together with the involvement of the local business community, is paying dividends in these difficult financial times and helping to ensure the continued success of the campaign.

“You have much to be proud of in Bury – and with a Gold Medal and a Category Winner this year you are to be congratulated in your overall achievements. Well done!”

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for the environment, said: “It was an honour to be selected to represent the North West for the sixth year and I’d like to thank judges David Jamieson and Andrew Jackson for making judging day a really positive experience for the council workforce and everyone they met on the day.

“My congratulations go to the workforce and everyone involved in making this happen. This prestigious award is the culmination of many years of hard work on behalf of everyone who lives, works and visits here.”

END

Press release issued: 20 October 2015.

Picture: On Britain in Bloom judging day in Bury are (from left) Andrew Jackson and David Jamieson (Britain in Bloom); Cllr Stella Smith, the Mayor of Bury; Cllr Mike Connolly, leader of the council; John Smith, the Mayor’s consort; Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, executive director for communities and wellbeing; and Brian Robson and Peter Turner, from the council’s grounds maintenance department.

Notes to editors:

The regional and national ‘in bloom’ awards presented to Bury from 2003 to 2014 are as follows:

2003

Runner-up, Best large town, North West in Bloom

2004

Best large town in the North West

Best new landscape feature

Best Environmental Award (St Thomas’s Primary School)

2005

Best Large Town, North West in Bloom

Best feature in a public place

Silver Award, Britain in Bloom

2006

Best Large Town, North West in Bloom

Best feature in a public place

2007

Best Large Town, North West in Bloom

Environmental Quality Award

Silver Award, Britain in Bloom

2008

Best large town, North West in Bloom

Clean Sweep Award

2009

Best large town, North West in Bloom

Heritage Award

Local Routes Award

Silver-Gilt Award, Britain in Bloom

2010

Best large town, North West in Bloom

Gold Award, North West in Bloom

2011

Best large town, North West in Bloom

Gold Award, North West in Bloom

Silver-Gilt Award, Britain in Bloom

RHS Floral Award, Britain in Bloom

2012

Best large town and gold award, North West in Bloom

Best town centre, North West in Bloom

The Environmental Award for local authorities, North West in Bloom

2013

Best large town and gold award, North West in Bloom

Gold Award, Britain in Bloom

Environmental Responsibility Award, Britain in Bloom

2014

Best large town and gold award, North West in Bloom

Environmental quality Award, North West in Bloom

North West in Bloom, Outstanding Contribution went to Martin Dowding, Grounds Maintenance Manager