Anglia in Bloom judges toured Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday 15th July, and the following day saw the Champion of Champions judges assessing our bid in this new inter-regional competition.

Two regions, Anglia and the South & South-East of England were chosen by RHS/Britain in Bloom to pilot the contest this year, before it is rolled out nation-wide in 2010. Bury St Edmunds was Anglia’s nomination in the Large Town Category and our worthy opponents were Chichester in West Sussex.

Champion of Champions lead judge, Jim Buttress with Caroline Brown, St Edmundsbury Parks Officer, Steve Burgess Abbey Gardens Head Gardener and judge Bob Ollier.

The hard work put into the two hectic days of judging by the Bury in Bloom team, the Borough and our partners from the private sector has been rewarded with Gold Awards from both the Anglia and Champion of Champions judges.

The Mayor of St Edmundsbury, Councillor Patricia Warby and Bury in Bloom campaign manager Julia Rackowe, with the Gold Award presented by Anglia in Bloom at the Awards Ceremony in Gorleston on 16th September.

These are some of the comments we received from Anglia in Bloom judges:

“Bury St Edmunds continues to maintain a very high standard throughout the year. There have been many challenges for the team this year, and as usual they have come through with flying colours. The weather has been the greatest problem and some species of plants are showing the effects more than others.”

“We consider the greatest achievement is the work at Nowton Park carried out by the volunteers and the offenders on the community pay-back scheme. Also the fact that the young people in Bury are encouraged with other sections of the community to participate in activities that are beneficial to the environment. The town as a whole, working with the community, schools and most of the other organisations is one of the teams greatest strengths.”

“What makes Bury so successful is the ability to engage all members of the community and this was very evident as we viewed the area and discussed the various projects with the participants. This made walking around the town a very enjoyable experience.

The Champion of Champions judges had these things to say about their tour of Bury St Edmunds:

“The town was filled with quality plants which provided colour in all sorts of places. A large cross-section of the community is involved and welcomed the judges in the newly built area of the Cathedral. New businesses are active in Bury in Bloom, with partnerships being formed and cemented. The new ARC Centre was interesting, proving a challenge to improve the stark lines of the new building.”

“Areas of achievement

• The Water Meadows managed by Greene King Brewery, monitored by an environmental officer employed by the brewery
• The re-alignment of paths in Abbey Gardens and the work being done to renovate Nowton Park and the Community Pay-Pack initiative within it, along with SLDD students working alongside the other workers
• The excellent use of pictorial hoarding around unsightly areas
• The re-cycling achievements to date
• The Church Walk Garden Scheme and the liaison with the Raingate allotment site is to be highly recommended
• The whole committee provided evidence of them all working together for the good of Bury St Edmunds. There are strong links with both the commercial and private sectors and special thanks should go to the developer who has, at his own expense, provided much needed colour to the old council offices which occupy a prime site in the town
• The Interactive Tourist Office with colourful displays and friendly staff”