RUGBY has struck double-gold at the Heart of England In Bloom Awards, securing a place at next year’s national Britain In Bloom final.
The town picked up a gold award in the small city category for the eighth year in row before being crowned the overall winner for the Heart of England region – a gold which puts Rugby in the running for a national award.
Rugby had the honour of hosting this year’s Heart of England In Bloom Awards at the Benn Hall yesterday (Thursday September 10).
Around 300 guests attended the ceremony, representing entries from villages, towns and cities across the Midlands and the east of England.
Rugby’s entry for this year’s In Bloom celebrated the Rugby World Cup.
Judges toured the town in July and were treated to a number of horticultural highlights, including Caldecott Park, Rugby School, Swift Valley Country Park and the garden at Henry Hinde Infant School.
The judges hailed the borough’s “creative and innovative forward thinking,” describing Rugby as “clean and vibrant.”
The council’s Edible Borders gardening project, which encourages residents to grow fruit and vegetables in community plots, was singled out for praise, together with the borough’s range of floral beds and hanging baskets.
The judges also noted the council’s enhancements to the borough in readiness for the Rugby World Cup, its partnership work with community organisations and schools, and its commitment to conservation and biodiversity.
Rugby Borough Council’s environment spokeswoman Coun Lisa Parker said: “I’m delighted we did the double at this year’s awards.
“It’s a real testament to the hard work and dedication of the council’s parks and grounds team, businesses, schools, volunteers and community organisations, and we can all look forward to next year’s national Britain in Bloom final.”
