'˜We've bloomin' done it!' Twelve golds for Leighton-Linslade at Anglia in Bloom awards

Leighton-Linslade won Gold in the Large Town category

Reading the list of winners in each category, there is one name that crops up over and over again - Leighton-Linslade - as the town was awarded a superb 12 Golds, two Silver Gilts, a Category Winner, and one Special Award.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Woburn is also feeling very proud, the beautiful parish awarded a Silver Gilt for the village category.

Announcing the results, Leighton-Linslade in Bloom, said: “We are by far one of the most successful entrants in this year’s campaign with twelve Golds.

“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this year’s campaign - you have been blooming brilliant.

“TACTIC has won the overall special award for the best young people’s project (aged 12-18 years) and we have been nominated in the Best Community Project with the Linslade Community Garden and the Best Sustainable Garden with West Street Drought Garden.”

Leighton-Linslade had success in the following categories:

>Large Town (12,001 - 35,000 residents): GOLD, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE

>Parks (large over 10 acres): GOLD, MENTMORE PARK & MEMORIAL GARDENS LEIGHTON-LINSLADE; GOLD, PAGES PARK, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE: GOLD, TIDDENFOOT WATERSIDE PARK, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE.

>Parks (medium, five to ten acres): GOLD PARSONS CLOSE PARK, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE; SILVER GILT, LINSLADE RECREATION GROUND, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE

>Churchyards, Cemeteries and Crematoriums: GOLD, LINDSLADE CEMETERY, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE; GOLD, VANDYKE ROAD CEMETERY, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE

>Best Woodland: WINNER AND GOLD, LINSLADE WOOD, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE

>Best Public House: GOLD, THE GOLDEN BELL, LEIGHTON BUZZARD; GOLD, THE SHIP INN, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE; GOLD, THE HARE INN, LEIGHTON BUZZARD; GOLD, THE STAG, LEIGHTON BUZZARD; SILVER GILT, THE BLACK LION, LEIGHTON BUZZARD.

>Young Persons Project (aged 12 - 18 years): WINNER, T.A.C.T.I.C, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE

The results were announced yesterday afternoon (September 12) at the Anglia In Bloom Anniversary Awards Ceremony held at The Apex Theatre, Bury St Edmunds.

Bob Ollier, chairman of Anglia in Bloom said: “The Anglia in Bloom communities across the six counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk & Suffolk should be justifiably proud of this year’s achievements.

“This year standards have continued on from last year with excellent awards achieved, the outstanding community work, many resourceful projects and superb floriferous displays have all added to fantastic community entries with 57 Gold, 13 Silver Gilts, 6 Silver, 3 Bronze awarded.

“The continued key to the Anglia regions success has been the very strong community involvement where everyone is getting involved and works closely together, enabling great projects to be created and delivered.

“All communities are recognising the importance of sustainable displays, coupled with good horticultural standards and delivering outstanding floral displays, these are all achieved through the support from sponsors and community groups engaged across the region, who are all dedicated to enhancing their community within Anglia in Bloom’s Prestigious Environmental Campaign.

“I congratulate all the Bloom groups and communities in the Anglia Region, for the enthusiasm, commitment and effort made to improve, develop and sustain local environments across our region, it is a great credit to you all. Well Done.”

Woburn will also be heading to the RHS Britain in Bloom Finals in Belfast on October 19, where they will hear their results announced.

In 2017 the village had its efforts judged in the Anglia in Bloom competition, winning the Silver Gilt award in the Village category and Best New Entrant for the whole area (Anglia), enough to win a place in the 2018 Britain in Bloom finals.

The other 2017 winners that Anglia in Bloom entered along with Woburn are: Bury St Edmunds (Large Town), Wisbech (BID), Norwich (City), and Hunstanton (Coastal).

Meanwhile, this year’s Anglia in Bloom finalists - who could head to the 2019 Britain in Bloom finals - will be announced at the competition’s autumn seminar in November.