In Bloom results are golden (From Malvern Gazette)

In Bloom results are golden

1:27pm Thursday 16th September 2010 in News

Community award winners (back, from left) Chris Morgan (Cotford Hotel), Roger Johnson (Little Malvern Priory), (front) John Jordan, Jack Wickett (St Joseph's Primary).

LOCAL In Bloom teams have kept up the gold standard by sweeping the board with top awards in this year’s Heart of England in Bloom competition.

The results, announced yesterday (Thursday) during a ceremony in Newcastle-under-Lyme, saw Malvern win a second successive gold award in the large town category, while Upton kept up its run of golds and was named winner in the large village section.

Upton was also named winner of Heart of England’s ‘Biodiversity Award’ and has been selected to represent the region in next year’s prestigious Britain in Bloom competition.

Delighted Upton in Bloom chairman Jackie Surtees said the results had exceeded all her expectations.

“It’s a brilliant result and everyone is really pleased,” she said. “One of the areas the judges singled out for praise was the town’s community spirit so it’s very much a case of well done Upton.

“We do need more support to carry on with what we’re doing so let’s hope this success encourages people to come forward.”

Malvern in Bloom chairman John Jordan is delighted with another gold award - Malvern’s fourth in five years.

“I’m also delighted for all our neighbours and their special achievements,” he said. “Everyone throughout the area has done exceptionally well.”

Mr Jordan is also pleased for Malvern’s Holly Mount Church, which was awarded a certificate of merit at the ceremony.

Across the border in Herefordshire there were also gold award successes for Tarrington, Ledbury and Bromyard, with Tarrington named overall winner in the small village category.

Tarrington in Bloom co-ordinator Veronica Hodges was honoured with the Award for Outstanding Achievement.