MALVERN is celebrating bloom success once again after the town was awarded Gold for a tenth time.
And it’s just not Malvern’s team with huge smiles as Upton-upon-Severn also won Gold in the RHS Heart of England in Bloom competition.
The results were revealed at a special presentation ceremony at Warwick Castle on Thursday.
John Jordan, chairman of Malvern in Bloom, admitted there was a sense of relief after Malvern secured the top award in the large town category.
“It was a personal challenge of mine to help Malvern achieve its tenth Gold award,” he told the Observer.
“The award shows the community has a great pride in where they live.
“This is not just about the flowers, it is about the people of Malvern and what they are trying to do for their surroundings.
“All of what has been done promotes the Malvern Hills as a fantastic area for tourism.”
Meanwhile, Upton scooped the top prize in the large village category and as an added bonus the town has been chosen to represent the West Midlands at the national RHS Britain in Bloom competition next year.
It is the fifth time since 2003 the town has been selected for the national event.
Upton in Bloom’s chairman Jackie Surtees said: “It’s really pleasing to have achieved this success as we have got a very good team of volunteers who have worked so hard.
“We have also had a lot of support from the town’s residents when we have done fund-raisers.
“Everybody has been very generous towards us and we have worked very hard to achieve this result.
“We have had so many compliments from people saying the displays this year have been the best ever.”
With the awards done for 2017, both Malvern and Upton in Bloom organisers say they are now focusing on next year as they bid for further England in Bloom success.
