Islington came up trumps at the London in Bloom Awards on Friday 8 September, achieving a prestigious Silver Gilt award. The borough was also one of just 18 in Britain, and the only London borough, to be awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Britain in Bloom Discretionary Award for Biodiversity.
The RHS Biodiversity Award recognises Islington's work to provide, maintain and create opportunities for all forms of wildlife to thrive and it demonstrates that even in a very urban, densely populated borough, room can be made for wildlife.
The London in Bloom judges look at floral displays, permanent landscaping, the environment and sustainable development, local environmental quality and public awareness. All areas of the borough are looked at from public parks and buildings, highways, shopping areas, front gardens and residential and community gardens.
The judges were particularly impressed with the wildflower meadows, the floral displays at the Nags Head, the level of community involvement throughout the borough, the widespread encouragement and participation of the young and the disadvantaged to take part, and the promotion of habitats for wildlife.
Local green fingered residents and businesses were also recognised at the award ceremony for Islington in Bloom, held on Tuesday 12 September at the Town Hall, and attended by winners, award sponsors, the Mayor and Councillor Lucy Watt, Islington Council's Executive Member for Environment.
The annual competition allows local gardeners to display their talents while making the borough a brighter, better and greener place to live and work. The competition was open to all residents, schools and businesses in the borough and includes a wide range of categories including best residential garden, best container garden and business premises along with best school grounds. Prizes were awarded to the top three entries within each category.
For the first time ever, Islington in Bloom ran a poster competition for children to draw a poster of what they think the Islington in Bloom competition is all about. The winner was Naomi Jeffs, nine, from Thornhill Primary School, who received a certificate, an Izz Aqua card that allows her free swimming for a year, and a voucher which entitles her class at Thornhill to a free educational visit to the Ecology Centre. Her poster will also be used to advertise next year's Islington in Bloom competition.
Councillor Lucy Watt, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "Islington is such a compact borough, and it is important that we make the most of every bit of open space we have, from the barrier flowers on Holloway Road, to the school gardens, and even the impressive gardens that people create on their balconies. Islington in Bloom gives recognition to the gardeners, young and old, across the borough who brighten up our lives every day. The entries were so diverse and prove that you don't need a big garden to make a difference."
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For more information on this news release contact Verity Cork on 020 7527 1855.
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008