Breathtaking planting secures Gold again for Warwick

Judges praised the “stunning impact” of the town centre tubs, the ‘statuesque’ perennial planting in St Nicholas Park and described Priory Walk’s residental community gardens as a credit to all the elderly volunteer gardeners living there.

It is the second year on the run that Warwick has won gold in the large town category.

After touring the town Heart of England judges Roger Bache and Nicola Clarke, who are part of RHS Britain in Bloom, reported: “This delightful town is being enhanced by the sterling work of the Bloom group here.

“Breathtaking planting, especially in tubs and hanging baskets, had an enormous impact on the town centre”...and “community groups in Albert Street, Antelope Gardens and the Canal trust improve each year, adding to the mix.”

The judges added that the well-maintained verges, grass and “marvellous St Nicholas Park” indicated there was clearly a good relationship with the district, county, and contractors.

They also believed the involvement of schools, the Friends of Warwick Railway Station and the strong local Warwick garden and allotment competitions had all added to the outcome which had to be Gold yet again.

News of the success was announced at lunchtime ceremony in Shrewsbury on Thursday.

Among the areas of achievement singled out were community gardening in Antelope and Albert Street being prime examples of people joining in; the exceptionally eye-catching sponsored roundabout on Coventry Road; Kingfisher and Myton Pools, the Avon and wildlife corridors around the racecourse; grounds of Warwick’s Volvo dealership; tubs from Barn Close Nurseries; the “willow” county bear made at Saltisford Canal Trust; the launch of Street Pride and the renovated tourist office/
museum.