The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Hard work in South Holland has been rewarded with a raft of medals from East Midlands in Bloom this year.
Spalding and Holbeach were both awarded gold medals in the large town and small town categories.
There was also a Judge’s Award for the work carried out at Spalding railway station.
Long Sutton took a silver gilt, also in the small town category and the Judge’s Award for the entrance to St Mary’s Church.
Holbeach matched its gold from last year and also took a Judge’s Award for the refurbishment of All Saints churchyard.
“This year we saw yet more new groups enter, joining established entrants. The awards are given in recognition for all the hard work and dedication to enrich the environment in which we all live,” said Jeff Bates, chairman of East Midlands in Bloom.
There were 57 village, town and city groups across six counties, along with a record number of 182 smaller ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ groups.
There were also 18 schools taking part.
Spalding’s St John the Baptist School took the discretionary award for best school fruit and vegetable garden. It was also awarded a silver medal in the schools category. Gosberton House School won gold and Long Sutton County Primary was awarded a silver gilt in the discretionary awards.
The Punch Bowl in Spalding won gold in the best hotel or pub garden display while the Horse and Groom in Holbeach took a silver.
Spalding’s Springfields Shopping Centre was awarded gold in the best retail and commercial section. Holbeach’s G R Merchant was presented with bronze in the same category.
Plans are already being formulated for next year’s event.
