Borough recognised as East Midlands in Bloom’s least littered entry as it scores 14th consecutive Gold Award
Published: Monday, 14 October 2024
Oadby & Wigston has claimed its 14th consecutive Gold Award at this year's East Midlands in Bloom competition – as well as scooping an extra award for the ‘Least Littered’ entry seen by judges in this year’s competition.
Back in July the judges from East Midlands in Bloom toured the borough starting at Peace Memorial Park, and visiting stops including Elliott Hall, Wickham Road Green, Brocks Hill Country Park and the University of Leicester Botanic Garden.
Meeting with local community groups, volunteers and council officers the judges assessed the borough against the categories of horticulture, environment and community.
East Midlands in Bloom is the regional level of the Britain in Bloom competition, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), with the judging categories based on the RHS’s three pillars.
As well as securing the overall Gold award in the Small City category, the borough was awarded the judges’ discretionary East Midlands in Bloom Award for the Least Littered entry, beating out areas across the region for cleanliness and upkeep and lack of litter, vandalism and graffiti.
As part of the entry Elliott Hall in South Wigston also saw lots of success landing additional recognition. The community hub received a Judges’ Award for the wide range of activities they offer, as well as collecting an RHS Outstanding Award for Community Engagement and an RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood Award at Level 4 out of a possible 5 – classed as ‘Thriving’.
A further It’s Your Neighbourhood Award was awarded to the South Wigston Nature Reserve and Gardens, also at Level 4.
The annual Oadby & Wigston entry into East Midlands In Bloom is co-ordinated by the Pride of the Borough group, and supported by Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (OWBC).
Simon Lucas, Chair of Pride of the Borough, said: “For the 14th year it is once again down to the passion and dedication of our volunteers that Oadby & Wigston is ‘Gold’ rated.
“This is not just an annual attempt for an award but an ongoing effort to improve our borough, and it is wonderful to see so many individuals and groups putting their time and effort into protecting and improving our environment year-round.
“We do this for the benefit of the whole borough, and I hope that residents can enjoy the green spaces and floral displays our members work so hard to grow and maintain.”
Councillor Jasvir Chohan, Deputy Mayor of Oadby & Wigston, said: “I would like to say ‘thank you’ and ‘congratulations’ to Pride of the Borough and all who were involved with this year’s entry and well-deserved sweep of awards – 14 consecutive Gold Awards is a remarkable achievement and a true testament to the community spirit of Pride of the Borough.
“To receive the additional Least Littered award is also a real win for the borough and something I am very proud of, and I would also like to thank OWBC’s Clean & Green team and the South Leicestershire Litter Wombles, whose massive efforts in the borough play no small part in this.”
Images
(1) East Midlands in Bloom judge, Joyce Slater, presenting the overall Gold Award to Deputy Mayor of Oadby & Wigston, Cllr Jasvir Chohan, at an awards ceremony held by Pride of the Borough at the Oadby & Wigston Brocks Hill Council Offices
(2) Cllr Carl Walter (Elliott Hall), Neil Maher (Elliott Hall), EMiB judge Joyce Slater and Rob Elliott (Elliott Hall) at the presentation of the Elliott Hall judges’ award at the awards ceremony
(3) Chairman of Pride of the Borough, Simon Lucas, at the presentation of the ‘Least Littered’ award with people who helped to contribute, including members of Pride of the Borough and the South Leicestershire Litter Wombles
Chairman of Pride of the Borough Simon Lucas at the presentation of the ‘Least Littered’ award with people who helped to contribute, including members of Pride of the Borough and the South Leicestershire Litter Wombles