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.”
