Success for Cheshire West and Chester projects at North West in Bloom Awards

Volunteers, community groups and Cheshire West and Chester Council staff celebrated success in the recent RHS North West in Bloom Awards for the third year in a row.

The North West in Bloom Awards celebrate the very best in environmental improvement across the region and also award community groups in the It’s Your Neighbourhood campaign, which is a non-competitive element.

It's Your Neighbourhood is part of RHS Britain in Bloom. Any group eager to make a difference to their local environment, whether a few neighbours keen to tackle local litter, or a larger action group determined to turn-around an eyesore, is eligible to enter. In the summer months, North West in Bloom assessors visit the groups to see the work that has been carried out. The results of the assessment and the dedication of all involved are celebrated in an Awards ceremony at the end of the year.

The Council's whole borough entry including Chester in the Large City category scooped a Silver award. The Environmental Quality Award was claimed by Marbury Park in Northwich, with Mill View Primary School in Chester victorious in the schools category.

There were Gold awards for Alexandra Park in Hoole and Rivacre Valley Country Park in Ellesmere Port in the Local Authority Small Parks category. In the Large Parks category, Castle Park in Frodsham and Stanney Fields Park in Neston received Bronze, Westminster Park in Chester claimed Silver, and Grosvenor Park in Chester won Gold.

All parks and open spaces are managed and looked after by the Council's Street Care team. Your Streets Officers and a Neighbourhood and Horticulture Officer assist the volunteers and 'friends of' groups on these sites giving support and advice, including supplying tools. Volunteer and friends groups play a key part in the maintenance of parks and open spaces, bringing communities together.

It's Your Neighbourhood enables community groups to be set up to create the best and most colourful neighbourhoods to give communities a feel-good factor. Whether it's a street you live in, an existing community garden or a disused area that’s needs a revamp, almost any outdoor space being looked after by a local community can qualify to be an It's Your Neighbourhood group. These groups create a pride of place in public spaces, with a healthier environment attracting wildlife with plants that could help to boost local biodiversity and help tackle air pollution.

Cllr Karen Shore, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, said:

The results

Environmental Quality Award

• Marbury Park, Northwich

Schools Category

• Mill View Primary School, Chester

Large City/MBC Category Silver Award

• Cheshire West and Chester Council

Small Park (LA) Category

Gold

• Alexandra Park, Hoole
• Rivacre Valley Country Park, Ellesmere Port

Large Park (LA) Category

Bronze

• Castle Park, Frodsham
• Stanney Fields Park, Neston

Silver

• Westminster Park, Chester

Gold

• Grosvenor Park, Chester

The following entries were also supported by the Council:

Biodiversity Award

• Friends of Lees Lane Pond, Neston

Level 4 Thriving

• Lache Gardening Group, Chester
• Ellesmere Port in Bloom
• Friends of Elm Grove, Ellesmere Port
• Transition Northwich Dane Valley Community Orchard

Level 5 Outstanding

• Vintage Blacon Hope Garden
• Narrows Community Park, Hoole
• Friends of Westminster Park, Chester
• Friends of Lees Lane Pond, Neston
• Grozone Community Garden, Northwich
• Transition Northwich Rod's Secret (Community) Garden

Congratulations also to Northwich BID, whose Northwich in Bloom project which was supported by Northwich Town Council and other partners, won the Large Town Category Gold award.