Gold Awards for Malvern and Upton (From Malvern Gazette)

Gold Awards for Malvern and Upton

12:34pm Monday 10th September 2007 in News By Sue Vickers

Upton and Malvern were both winners in this year's Heart of England in Bloom contest, each receiving gold awards.

Upton-Upon-Severn was not only awarded gold but was named overall winner in the large villages category while Malvern, entering the contest for only the second time, was awarded gold in the small town category.

Upton triumphed despite being beset by floods for a large part of the summer, and as a catagory winner has now qualified for next year's national floral competition Britain in Bloom.

Upton in Bloom committee member Jackie Surtees said they were over the moon with the result, which equals last year's best ever performance.

"Considering what a hard year we have had it is great news," she said. "We were confident going into this one, I think the judges saw everything at its best."

Fortunately for Upton the judges visited the town three days before the floods struck in July so they saw the town, according to Mrs Surtees, in its full glory.

However the judging for Upton's entry into Britain in Bloom 2007 took place after the destruction of the floods. The results of this national contest are due later this month.

Malvern's gold award for the town was accompanied by additional awards in the Nighbourhood category for the allotments in Madresfield Road, which received a merit, and Malvern Community Hospital, which received an outstanding. Other local awards went to Lilac Close in Upton, which received an improvement award and The Anchor at Welland, which was given a merit.

Coun. Mike Selby, chairman of Malvern in Bloom, said: "We're deleighted Malvern has won another gold."

He said the judges had commented on the high levels of support from businesses in the town, many of which had sponsored hanging baskets and troughs and he praised the efforts of The Chase for its recycling display, eco-friendly initiatives and mini prom in the park.

He said weeds along kerbsides along the judges route into town and a lack of flowers outside the Mount Pleasant Hotel were mentioned as areas for improvement.

"Malvern needs more support from its residents if we're to do even better next year. We need many more people to get involved to take this forward," he said.