Bracknell in Bloom

Bracknell received a Gold Regional Award for the third year running and won the Small City category at the RHS Thames & Chilterns in Bloom Awards on the 19th September 2012.  Bracknell also received the Best Roadsides and Roundabouts Regional Award and was nominated to represent Thames & Chilterns in the Britain in Bloom 2013 National Finals.

The Judges said "The standard throughout the three hour tour of Bracknell was very good and it covered all the criteria in full.  During the tour we were shown that all sides in the community were pulling together in one direction – this makes Bracknell a better place to live and work.  Bracknell has the right spirit for a Thames & Chilterns in Bloom entry."

At the ceremony, five Bracknell community groups received awards in the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood campaign.  Both Ploughlands Community Garden and Eva Jones Memorial Gardens were judged outstanding, the top award.  Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare, Warfield Environment Group and Warfield Grow and Share Community Allotment were judged as thriving projects.

Bracknell received a Gold Award in the Small City’s category at the RHS Thames & Chilterns Regional Awards on the 21st September 2011. Bracknell also received the Best Floral Input Regional Award.

The Judges said "The floral displays were superb; particularly the window boxes in the city centre which provided a panoramic view for all to enjoy.  The itinerary/tour very importantly involved many of the local community, including the jewel in the crown Ploughlands Community Garden which depicts the very ethos of the competition, neighbour helping neighbour to create an area to rest and enjoy each other’s company."

At the ceremony, two Bracknell Forest community groups received awards in the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood campaign. Ploughlands Community Garden was judged as an outstanding community project and Warfield Environment Group was judged as being a thriving project.

In 2010, Bracknell was awarded the coveted GOLD award for the Small City category and also scooped the Regional Award for Best Portfolio at the RHS Regional Awards ceremony held at Amersham on 30 September 2010.

David Harris, Landscape Services Manager for Bracknell Forest Council, was absolutely delighted to have collected these prestigious awards on behalf of the committee, beating tough competition from others in the Small City category.

An extract taken from the RHS Britain in Bloom Regional Judges' report;
'Bracknell continues to prove that the strength of its In Bloom entry is the varied and widespread input it gets from different parts of the Community'.

The judges witnessed a strong floral input in the town centre that brightened up the place on what was a dull summers day. This very good entry showed that it continues to develop what it has to offer on top of the well maintained public realm, commercial and residential areas with a range of environmental and community initiatives such as ‘Blooming Diversity’ areas and recycling of materials.

Areas of achievement included rhododendron collection at Lily Hill Park, use of green space to encourage wildlife and biodiversity, little if any litter/graffiti noticed throughout the tour and local involvement by schools and businesses in promoting community spirit.