Ross-in-Bloom and their associates are celebrating great results this week in the Heart of England in Bloom Campaigns.

Last week Mary Sinclair Powell and Caroline Utting went to Solihull to collect the 'Thriving' award for the Blake's Garden Jubilee Project. At the same time representatives from Ross Court collected their "Outstanding" award and Tudorville Allotments a "Thriving". (Thriving is the equivalent of a Silver Gilt and Outstanding is Gold). All of these were projects entered in the "It's Your Neighbourhood" Campaign and all complement the main Heart of England in Bloom judging for the town as a whole.

Jack, Archie and Dylan Morgan were presented with a "Heart of England in Bloom Certificate of Merit" by judge Angela Pendleton. Angela was very impressed with the hard work and dedication they put in at Blakess Garden, often going out after school to litter pick and make sure everything is tidy. They also put in many hours with the Sunday working parties and Ross-in-Bloom is delighted they have been honoured in this way.

In the Hotel and Inn category once again the Chase Hotel excelled themselves with a Gold Award for the second year running.

The judges were delighted with the quality of planting as well as the superb cleanliness and community involvement. They were particularly impressed with the enthusiasm volunteers put into each project and hope that next year will be even bigger and better than last year.

This week Margaret Lucas and Sue Holland travelled to Wolverhampton where the Heart of England in Bloom Judges presented a prestigious Gold Award to the town entry, organised by Ross-in-Bloom.

Margaret Lucas is absolutely delighted with the results. She had been hoping for Silver Gilt but once again the townspeople pulled out all the stops to ensure the judges saw a wonderful example of how everyone can work together.

They were particularly delighted with the work at the Blake's Garden Jubilee Project, highly amused with the "resident" Pigs in Pigs Alley and pleased to see how the community pulls together with the British Legion Event at the Market House being prime examples. The visit to see the "biggest carrot in the world" at the Ryefield Centre was also a highlight.

Margaret Lucas, Chairman of Ross-in-Bloom told us "Everyone has worked very hard on all the projects and in the town this year. Our Gold award justly proves how much effort people put in. We are very grateful for all the hard work and hope that there will be lots of enthusiasm to make next year a Jubilee Year to remember".