THE Town’s Railway Garden has been awarded a Level four – Thriving Certificate in this year’s Royal Horticultural Society’s It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme,.

The scheme recognises the efforts local volunteers have made to transform a neglected space into a welcoming community garden.

Ross-on-Wye Town Council has led the project, overseeing the transformation of the Railway Garden and bringing Ross in Bloom back to life.

The council’s community development officer, Jane Gardiner, has been working with volunteers, community groups and local businesses to develop the garden

The organisation Ross in Bloom re-formed in October 2025, with its first project focusing on the Railway Garden at Five Ways, at the bottom of Ledbury Road and Brampton Road with volunteers set about transforming the space into somewhere the community could enjoy.

The garden now features colourful flowers, benches where visitors can sit and relax, handcrafted tree decorations and a fantastic wooden train with four planter carriages.

Following a visit from RHS judge Janet Gwinnett in July, the award was presented at a ceremony last week held at The Three Counties Showground in Malvern.

A Ross in Bloom volunteer who attended the ceremony said: “It has been a joy to see the transformation of the Railway Garden from a drab space into somewhere filled with flowers, handcrafted tree decorations, hanging baskets and a fantastic wooden train. It wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing volunteers and the community groups and businesses who have contributed to make it so beautiful.”

Looking ahead to 2027, Ross Town Council and Ross in Bloom are keen to build on this achievement and are planning to enter RHS In Bloom.

The town council is inviting local businesses, community groups, organisations and residents to get involved in helping make Ross an even greener and more welcoming place.

Whether through shop window displays, planters, gardens or volunteering, there are plenty of ways to take part and help shape the future of Ross in Bloom.