Blooming heck! Croydon wins award for its flora (From Croydon Guardian)

Blooming heck! Croydon wins award for its flora

5:58pm Monday 22nd September 2008 in

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It’s official, Croydon is blooming marvellous. It was the overall winner of the large city category in the London in Bloom awards and will be representing the capital in the Britain in Bloom competition.

Croydon also won a silver gilt award, came second in the open spaces and public parks category for Coombe Wood and came second in the floral display category.

Councillor Steve Hollands, cabinet member for culture and sport, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and proves what a vibrant and colourful place Croydon is.

“These awards are a fitting tribute to all the hard work and effort put in by the whole community to make the borough bloom.”

The London in Bloom judges were shown around the borough in July. They marked the borough on floral displays, landscaping, community, business and school involvement and on nature conservation and protecting the environment.

They were impressed with Croydon’s green waste recycling, minimum use of pesticides and the 510 new planters around the borough.

They described Coombe Wood as ‘exemplary’ and Haling Grove, Chaldon Gardens and Happy Valley were picked our for special mention.

There were also a number of local awards. Tamnag Thai Restaurant, Crystal Palace, picked up first prize in the pub and restaurant category. Albury Court/Bramley Hill Residents' Association, Ashwood Gardens Sheltered Accommodation Community Garden, and Beech & Cedar House residents’ community garden all scooped prizes in the Neighbourhood 0 - 300 category Gillet and Garnet and Laxton Court Residents' Association won a prize in the Neighbourhood 301 - 1000 category.

The Britain in Bloom awards take place at Chester Race Course on Wednesday 24 September.