The winning groups were presented with their awards by horticulturist and BBC Gardeners’ World host Frances Tophill at the Britain in Bloom UK Finals Awards Ceremony at Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium.
“As part of ensuring Britain in Bloom remains relevant and inspiring to today’s gardeners, in 2024 we introduced the inaugural RHS Community Awards,” says Mark Porter, Chair of the Britain in Bloom Federation. “Each of the award winners showed an exemplary depth of skill and understanding. It was also heartening to see that many of the winners are RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood groups. These new awards really are open to everyone involved with Bloom.”
The awards were developed by the RHS and the Britain in Bloom Federation to recognise a wide range of Bloom and RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood groups who excel in a specific area. The Bloom Federation brings the 17 Bloom Regions and Nations along with the RHS together with a vision to transform communities across the UK, by supporting and inspiring local people to garden together.
“Through these awards, we will be able to identify examples of best practice, success, or innovation and tell their stories to inspire others,” says Pak Ling Wan, RHS Community Programme Manager. “It is also hoped that over time these new awards will encourage many groups new to Bloom to take part in the campaign as they focus on specific pressing categories rather than the traditional Bloom assessment triumvirate of horticulture, environment and community.”
“It was wonderful to work with representatives from the Bloom Regions and Nations to discuss and celebrate these amazing projects which are changing lives in the areas they are working in,” says Claire Custance, RHS Senior Communities Manager and Chair of the judging panel.
The RHS Community Awards will return in 2025. Watch this space for more details.
