The Chairman of Ross-in-Bloom, Margaret Lucas, is delighted to announce that once again "Ross is a Golden Town".

Once again Ross Community excelled themselves by working hard with Ross-in-Bloom to gain a Gold Award in the town category. This means they gained at least 86% in marks for community involvement, recycling and sustainability and floral displays.

This added to the Outstanding Award (Gold) given to Blake's Garden Project the week before. Ross Court and Tudorville Allotments had received Thriving Awards (Silver Gilt) on the same day.

"My personal thanks go to the whole community," said Margaret. "Without them our small happy band of committee members would not have been able to do it. I would also like to congratulate all the Neighbourhood entries. We have had a wonderful series of results this year. Well done all".

The Chase Hotel also did very well. Not only did they receive a Gold Award for the gardens, they also were awarded the Best Hotel Gardens in the whole of the Heart of England.

Margaret, Lyn Tomlinson and Mary Sinclair Powell have decided to retire from Ross-in-Bloom this year. Members of Ross-in-Bloom invited other in Blooming winners, Councillors, community volunteers and supporters to help them celebrate at the Market House on Friday. All the certificates were brought along to show off – and quite right too! Well done everyone – Gold is well deserved.

If anyone would like to help next year, the Town Clerk is making a list of prospective volunteers to work on Ross-in-Bloom. Mary is still working on Blake's Garden and as a consultant for Ross-in-Bloom. She can be contacted by email on [email protected]">[email protected] or at the Corn Exchange in High Street.