Tamworth in Bloom strikes gold for the ninth year!

Tamworth has gold fever following another successful year in the Heart of England in Bloom competition – striking GOLD for the ninth year in a row, as well as picking up a special award for the Moor Street Island display.

The borough’s accolade in the ‘Small City’ category was revealed at a ceremony at The National Brewery Centre in Burton on September 20.  Representatives from Tamworth Borough Council’s Assets and Environment team attended the ceremony to collect the awards, where Tamworth also picked up an additional special award for the community cabinet, a complete surprise.

The Discretionary award – ‘The Mike Garwood Memorial Award’, was given for the stunning Moor Street Island WW1 trench display. The trench feature, flower bed crest and footsteps leading to the soldier statue made entirely of flowers, forms a fabulous floral display for a fitting tribute to mark the anniversary of 100 years since the end of WW1.

All of the displays have looked amazing this year thanks to the hard work on the ground by members of the Street Scene team, with some fantastic floral displays to mark this year’s theme of ‘Homecoming 2018’.

Months of hard work by council staff, community groups, sheltered housing schemes, businesses and green-fingered residents across the borough ensured it was the incredible ninth year for the gold medal by helping to maintain the town’s high standard for fabulous floral displays, impressive community projects and thriving wildlife habitats.

Tamworth Borough Council has celebrated three very important anniversaries with this theme –100 years since the end of WW1, 100 years since the Girl Guides were formed in Tamworth and the1100th anniversary of ‘The Lady of the Mercians’, Aethelflaed’s death in Tamworth.

This year’s Tamworth in Bloom campaign has included a number of festive and floral celebrations to mark these important anniversaries.

Judges have continued to be impressed by the partnerships, community spirit and Wild about Tamworth at Broad Meadow LNR - where the increase of fritillary cover is the highest it has been. All areas demonstrate the embedding of the true spirit of Bloom.

Cllr John Chesworth, Cabinet member for Culture and Operational Services, said:  “Our continued success in this competition is incredible, because staying on top of the game, year after year, means extreme hard work and planning.

“Securing gold again and winning the Discretionary award really serves to demonstrate the importance of the partnership approach to Tamworth in Bloom. It’s a great team effort across the council, community and business sector and our continued success reflects that.

“It was a really busy year for Tamworth in Bloom with three really important anniversaries being celebrated, so there was a lot to incorporate. The campaign is a real community effort which is ongoing throughout the year so we are delighted that the judges were impressed with what they saw.

“Council staff, residents and businesses have contributed towards the many fabulous floral displays, community projects, nature reserves and wildlife habitats. We are delighted to receive the Mike Garwood Memorial Award for the impressive World War 1 trench installation at Moor Street Island.

“The displays have looked amazing this year thanks to the hard work on the ground by members of the Street Scene team, who work tirelessly all year round to keep the town looking nice with some fantastic floral displays to mark this year’s theme of ‘Homecoming 2018’; but we must also praise the efforts of Tamworth’s growing army of green fingered enthusiasts who are working hard to improve the areas they live in.

 “A huge well done to all involved and fingers crossed for more success for Wigginton Park when the winners of the Parks and Open Spaces Campaign are revealed on September 27.”