RUGBY has been declared ‘one of the greenest and most beautiful small cities in the country’, having picked up a top prize at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals Awards.
The town scooped a Gold award in the Small City category – beating seven other finalists in the division.
Representatives of Rugby Borough Council collected the award from TV gardening expert Chris Beardshaw at a ceremony at Birmingham’s Edgbaston Stadium on Friday (October 14).
During the summer, teams of RHS judges travelled the length and breadth of the country to determine which of the 72 finalists would lift the top prizes. Each was assessed against three criteria: community participation, environmental responsibility and horticultural achievement.
Chairman of the UK Judging Panel, Roger Burnett said: “This has been a truly outstanding year for Britain in Bloom with local communities devoting tremendous amounts of time and effort into greening grey areas and sharing the many health and social benefits of horticulture.
“The judges were very impressed by the way communities refused to let the many challenges they faced hold them back. The finalists’ desire and determination to make their environment as green and pleasant as possible was truly humbling.
“We as judges are privileged to have a front row seat to see Britain in Bloom volunteers change the lives of thousands through their work. And it’s fitting that their efforts are recognised and celebrated.”
The RHS Britain in Bloom Awards ceremony celebrates the contribution made by the 300,000 Bloom volunteers whose work helps transform neglected areas into greener and cleaner spaces.
