More than 30 community-based groups have been celebrating across the borough after winning awards at the Wirral In Bloom Awards Ceremony.
As the usual North West In Bloom celebrations in Southport were cancelled due to COVID-19, Wirral Council helped organise an event for all the Wirral schemes to make sure that the contributions of residents did not go unnoticed.
A total of 34 In Bloom schemes across Wirral received awards for their amazing projects, which followed a visit, in summer, from the Royal Horticultural Society judges, who examined the hard work and creativity that went into the work of the schemes.
Throughout the days of judging, the RHS judges met a range of residents who had all contributed to schemes in their area, whether it was a Village group or an alleyway transformation.
Not only were judges looking for groups who had made a real difference to their area through planting and landscaping, but the judges also scored groups positively when they could see the community effort that went into their work.
In the ‘In Your Neighbourhood’ Awards, Wirral saw 2 schemes awarded Level 1, Establishing; 3 schemes awarded Level 2, Improving; 8 schemes awarded Level 3, Advancing; 10 schemes awarded Level 4, Thriving and 9 schemes awarded Level 5, Outstanding.
In the ‘Britain In Bloom’ Categories, Oxton Society was awarded Gold -Village and Wallasey Village was awarded Gold – Large Village. In addition, Tomorrow’s Women Wirral were awarded a brand new award – the Health and Wellbeing Award, which recognises how their work has positively impacted the health and wellbeing of residents.
Bringing the community together, reducing social isolation during COVID-19, as well as encouraging a litter free, sustainable environment and improved well being were recognised as a key benefit of these schemes.
Cllr Liz Grey, Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, said, “I am always very impressed by the efforts that go into the In Bloom competitions. Seeing communities working together to clean up and improve their local environment and the enthusiasm and positivity that is created as they sow seeds and plant up their neighbourhood while working towards a shared vision of a better environment and a nicer place to live and work, is just wonderful. The ambition is often startling and the end results really impressive. Everyone involved can quite rightly take pride in what they have done. It makes such a difference and benefits us all.”
A video has been commissioned by the YMCA and produced by OON Media which highlights the amazing work by residents, the RHS judging and the awards ceremony.
The winners in full:
In Your Neighbourhood Awards
Level 1 Establishing
Spenser Avenue / Highfield Grove, Rock Ferry
Woodville Road, Birkenhead
Level 2 Improving
Castle Street/Hornby Street (CHAT – Castle Hornby Alleyway Transformation)
Primrose Road, Claughton
Wirral Development Trust
Level 3 Advancing
Callister Gardens
Claughton Village in Bloom
Friends of Sandlea Gardens
Larch Road
Paterson Street Rainbows
Shaw Street
Sunningdale High Rise
The Woodlands
Level 4 Thriving
Donny’s Way
Egremont in Bloom
Green and Blooming Greasby
Moreton in Bloom
Pensby in Bloom
Prenton Hall in Bloom
Prenton Rugby Club in Bloom
Tam O’Shanter Farm in Bloom
The Refreshment Rooms
Williamson Art Gallery (Friends of the Williamson)
Level 5 Outstanding
Alverstone Avenue, Birkenhead
The Arno Rose Garden
Beechwood, Ballantyne, Bidston in Bloom
Brackendale High Rise
Gautby Road Play and Community Centre
Liscard House in Bloom
Neo Community House
Shamrock Road in Bloom
Tomorrow’s Women
Britain in Bloom Award Gold – Oxton Society (Village)
Britain in Bloom Award Gold – Wallasey Village in Bloom (Large Village)
Health and Well Being Award – Tomorrow’s Women
Image: (Clockwise from top left) Larch Road, Tranmere – Wallasey Village in Bloom – Donny’s Way – Prenton Hall in Bloom – Prenton Rugby Club in Bloom – Oxton Society
Why not follow birkenhead.news on Facebook and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to news@birkenhead.news
Latest news