Shropshire towns celebrate Heart of England in Bloom success
Floral enthusiasts and volunteers in five towns across Shropshire were today celebrating golden success at this year's Heart of England in Bloom competition – with the county town of Shrewsbury leading the way.
Shrewsbury won a gold award in the small city section of the annual competition and will also go through to the national finals after being named category winners.
Gold awards were won by Ludlow, Newport and Bridgnorth in the contest's town category.
Oswestry continued its success when it was named as a gold award winner in the large town category, while the village of Claverley near Bridgnorth received a gold award in the urban community category.
The winners were announced at a ceremony in Birmingham yesterday.
Shrewsbury swept the board at the ceremony, also walking away with the Horticultural Excellence Award for the Dingle and the Landscape Award for Salop Leisure.
The success came despite vandals causing £1,000 damage to a floral display in the Square ahead of the judge's visit.
Councillor Jackie Brennand, chairman of Shrewsbury in Bloom, said: "Once again we are thrilled to receive a gold award."
Oswestry mayor Martin Bennett said: "I congratulate everyone involved for all the hard work they have put in " and chairman of Ludlow in Bloom, Vivienne Parry, said: "I would like to thank all those who have contributed to our success."
Eva Allan of Newport in Bloom said:" I'm so proud of everyone who has been involved."
Christian Lea of Bridgnorth Town Council said: "Everyone involved is to be congratulated" and Rod Parr, chairman of Claverley in Bloom, said:
"We've won gold awards before but this year it really means a lot.
Judges also gave discretionary awards including a certificate of merit to Barbara Deason from Newport. Schools throughout the area also won awards for the high standard of their grounds.
And the winners are . . .
Small city: Overall winner and gold award, Shrewsbury.
Large town: Gold award, Oswestry.
Town: Gold awards, Bridgnorth, Newport and Ludlow.
Village: Gold, Claverley.
Certificate of merit: Barbara Deason, Newport in Bloom.
Horticultural excellence award: The Dingle, Shrewsbury in Bloom.
Landscape award: Salop Leisure, Shrewsbury.
School Awards
Gold: Beckbury Primary School at Shifnal, Telford's Madeley Academy, Shrewsbury's Wilfred Owen School and Worfield Endowed Primary at Bridgnorth.
Silver gilt: Ludlow Infant School, Myddle Primary School near Shrewsbury, Newtown Primary School at Wem, St John's Catholic Primary at Bridgnorth and Stottesdon Primary School.
Hodnet Primary, Much Wenlock Primary, Sheriffhales Primary at Shifnal, St Mary's Primary at Market Drayton.
