A Suffolk market town has won gold in a prestigious competition that recognises horticultural excellence and community involvement.
Bury St Edmunds has bagged gold in the Large Town category of the Anglia in Bloom awards, which form part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom competition.
Several other places in the west Suffolk town also received accolades in the awards, including Wedgwood House, which won overall winner of Best Inclusivity Garden, and Abbey Gardens, which took gold in the Public Parks category.
Following the awards announcement Chris Wiley, coordinator of Bury in Bloom, said: "My heartfelt thanks go to all of our amazing volunteers, sponsors and supporters – all of whom devote so much of their own time, money and personal encouragement to help keep our town looking its floral best.
"Judges were extremely impressed by the cleanliness of the town, complimenting the exceptional choice of planting in the Abbey Gardens and impressive new wellbeing garden at Wedgwood House, behind West Suffolk Hospital.
"We rely on sponsorship in various forms to fund all of our projects, many within schools and care homes, but the reality that many In Bloom groups now face, all around the country, is the sudden increase in weeds along roads, paths and on roundabouts.
"West Suffolk Council have quite rightly banned weedkiller, but resources to regularly remove all weeds by hand are simply not enough.
"Roundabouts are our main source of income, adding to the judges’ experience whenever they visit, but every single site is now hand-weeded.
"It is with thanks to financial assistance from the Town Council that Bury in Bloom have now appointed a new contractor who has now begun a new maintenance contract," he added.
Mr Wiley said the group have many exciting projects coming up next year and said if any businesses wish to sponsor them they should email him on coordinator@buryinbloom.org.uk or call 07311382819.
Other sites in and around Bury St Edmunds that placed highly in the awards include Nowton Park, which was handed a silver gilt in the Nature Conservation Area category, and the Angel Hotel which was awarded a silver gilt in the Pubs/Restaurants/Hotels category.
The Water Vole Habitat Creation by Bury Water Meadows Group was also awarded bronze in Nature Conservation Area.
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