Towns and villages bloom in competition (From Worcester News)

Towns and villages bloom in competition

5:10pm Sunday 16th September 2012 in News

WORCESTERSHIRE towns and villages have enjoyed another strong showing in the Heart of England in Bloom competition.

Malvern picked up a fourth successive gold award in the highly competitive large towns category at Thursday’s presentation ceremony in Birmingham.

John Jordan, Malvern in Bloom chairman, said: “We’re extremely pleased and my sincere thanks and congratulations go to everyone involved.

“We’re relieved because it was such dreadful weather earlier in the year.”

Evesham also enjoyed success in the same category, claiming a silver-gilt award.

Despite downpours when the judges visited in July, Upton-upon-Severn kept up its admirable record of claiming gold every year since its first entry back in 2004. It was also named winner of the large village category for the eighth time.

Chairman Jackie Surtees said: “We’re very pleased and our thanks go to everyone who has helped, whether through sponsorship, planting or attending our fund-raising events.”

Pebworth, near Evesham, claimed silver in the village category.

There was also success across the border in Herefordshire, with Bromyard winning a silver-gilt in the small towns category and Ledbury winning gold and being named overall winner in the towns category.

Ledbury in Bloom’s volunteer co-ordinator Claire Moore described it as a fantastic effort.